Fundamentals of Health Care and Anatomy-Physiology
Domain 1: Fundamentals of Health Care and Anatomy-Physiology
This domain tests whether you can describe the healthy body in standard anatomical terms and connect basic structure to function, vital signs and safe care. Expect questions on body systems, homeostasis, directional language, body cavities and the roles of the health-care team.
Core rules
- Use anatomical position: standing erect, face forward, arms at sides, palms forward. Right and left refer to the patient, not the observer.
- Directional pairs: anterior/posterior, superior/inferior, medial/lateral, proximal/distal, superficial/deep.
- Organisation runs cell → tissue → organ → organ system → organism. Homeostasis keeps temperature, pH, glucose and fluid balance stable.
- The diaphragm separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities; the heart lies in the mediastinum.
- Adult resting values to know: pulse 60–100/min, respirations 12–20/min, BP about 120/80 mmHg, oral temperature 37 °C, SpO₂ 95% or above.
- Report abnormal values; do not diagnose.
Worked example
A patient has respirations 24/min, pulse 110/min and oral temperature 38.5 °C. Reasoning: 24 is above 20, so tachypnoea; 110 is above 100, so tachycardia; 38.5 °C is fever. Record the values with time, tell the nurse in charge and repeat observations as directed.
Traps
Counting an irregular pulse for 15 seconds and multiplying by four; using a cuff that is too small; treating an axillary temperature as oral; confusing the patient’s right with the observer’s right.