JNCLEX-RN (Jordan) key terms

The legally defined activities and responsibilities that a nurse is permitted to perform based on licensure, education, and jurisdiction. In Jordan, the Jordan Nurses and Midwives Council sets these boundaries.

Transferring authority to a competent unlicensed assistive person to perform a specific nursing task while the nurse retains accountability for the outcome. Requires clear communication and supervision.

Being answerable for one's nursing actions and decisions, including the duty to report errors, follow standards, and accept consequences. It cannot be delegated.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after receiving and understanding information about its purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse witnesses the consent and verifies comprehension.

Acting to protect and promote a patient's rights, safety, and best interests, especially when the patient cannot speak for themselves. Includes speaking up about unsafe care.

The ethical and legal duty to protect a patient's private health information from unauthorized disclosure. Breaches may occur through conversation, records, or social media.

Entitlements patients hold in healthcare, such as privacy, dignity, informed consent, refusal of treatment, and access to records. In Jordan, these are upheld by law and accreditation standards.

The formal line of authority for reporting concerns and resolving conflicts, from charge nurse to unit manager to nursing director. Used when immediate patient safety is at risk.

The transfer of patient information and responsibility between caregivers, often using a structured format like SBAR. Must be complete, timely, and include opportunity for questions.

A structured communication tool: Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation. It organizes critical information for handoffs and urgent reports to providers.

An unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury, or the risk thereof. Requires immediate investigation and root cause analysis.

A systematic process for identifying underlying causes of an adverse event and developing preventive actions. Focuses on systems, not individual blame.

A confidential document recording an unexpected event or near miss. It is not placed in the patient's medical record and is used for quality improvement.

Infection control practices applied to all patients regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene, gloves, gown, mask, eye protection, and safe injection practices.

The most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Includes washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based rub at the five moments of patient contact.

Barriers such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection used to protect the nurse and patient from exposure to infectious agents. Must be removed safely to avoid contamination.

Additional infection control measures beyond standard precautions, such as airborne, droplet, or contact precautions, based on the mode of transmission of a pathogen.

Accidental puncture by a contaminated needle or sharp. The nurse should wash the site, report immediately, and follow post-exposure prophylaxis protocols.

The process of prioritizing patient care based on urgency of need, especially in emergencies or mass casualty events. Uses categories such as emergent, urgent, and nonurgent.

A theory prioritizing human needs from physiological (food, air, water) to safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization. Nurses use it to decide which patient to assess first.

A systematic approach to prioritize care: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability (neurological), and Exposure. Used in emergencies and deteriorating patients.

Measurements of temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. They provide baseline data and indicate changes in physiological status.

Systematic evaluation of pain using tools such as numeric scales, Wong-Baker FACES, or FLACC for nonverbal patients. Includes location, quality, intensity, timing, and impact.

The process of comparing a patient's medication list across transitions of care to avoid errors, omissions, or duplications. Involves the patient and all providers.

The core checks before giving any drug: right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time. Many facilities add right documentation and right reason.

Drugs that carry a heightened risk of significant harm when used in error, such as insulin, heparin, and opioids. Require independent double-checks and special safeguards.

Administration of fluids, electrolytes, or medications directly into a vein. Requires monitoring for infiltration, phlebitis, infection, and fluid overload.

An adverse response to blood products, ranging from mild allergic reactions to life-threatening hemolysis. The nurse stops the transfusion, maintains IV access, and notifies the provider immediately.

A systematic evaluation of factors that increase a patient's likelihood of falling, such as medications, mobility, cognition, and environment. Guides preventive interventions.

Physical or chemical measures that limit a patient's freedom of movement. Used only when less restrictive alternatives fail, with a provider's order, monitoring, and frequent reassessment.

Localized damage to skin and underlying tissue usually over a bony prominence, caused by pressure or shear. Prevention includes repositioning, support surfaces, and nutrition.

Purposeful interaction that promotes a patient's expression of feelings and understanding. Techniques include active listening, open-ended questions, reflection, and silence.

Understanding and acknowledging another person's feelings without sharing their experience. In nursing, it builds trust and supports therapeutic communication.

The limits of a professional nurse-patient relationship that protect both parties from exploitation. Crossing boundaries may include excessive self-disclosure or accepting gifts.

The emotional response to loss, which may include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Nurses support patients and families through the grieving process.

Activities that help individuals and communities increase control over and improve their health, such as education, immunization, and lifestyle counseling.

Actions taken to prevent disease or injury before it occurs, such as immunizations, safety education, and healthy lifestyle promotion.

Testing for a disease in asymptomatic individuals to detect it early, such as Pap smears, mammograms, or blood pressure checks. Part of secondary prevention.