Lesotho Nursing Council Licensure Examination key terms

A systematic five-step method of planning and delivering care: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Each step depends on the accuracy of the one before it and is documented as care proceeds.

A clinical judgement about a patient's response to health problems or life processes, stated in a format such as problem, aetiology, and defining characteristics. It describes the patient's actual or potential problem rather than a medical disease.

Information that is observable, measurable, and verifiable by another person, such as vital signs, wound appearance, or laboratory results. It is gathered by the nurse through examination and testing rather than reported by the patient.

Information the patient reports about their own experience, such as pain, nausea, dizziness, or fatigue, which cannot be directly measured by the nurse. It is recorded in the patient's own words and used with objective findings.

The final step of the nursing process in which the nurse judges whether planned goals were met, partly met, or not met, and revises the care plan accordingly. It uses measurable expected outcomes as the standard of comparison.

Practices that prevent microorganisms from entering a wound, sterile field, or body cavity. Medical asepsis reduces the number of organisms, while surgical asepsis eliminates them from objects and skin before invasive procedures.

Infection-control measures applied to every patient regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, safe sharps handling, and safe waste disposal. They treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.

Localised damage to skin and underlying tissue, usually over a bony prominence, caused by sustained pressure, shear, friction, or moisture. Prevention includes repositioning, skin care, nutrition support, and pressure-relieving surfaces.

A scored risk-assessment tool that estimates a patient's likelihood of developing a pressure injury using six subscales: sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear. Lower total scores indicate higher risk and guide preventive care.

The state in which fluid intake and output, and the movement of fluid between body compartments, are maintained within normal limits. Nurses monitor it through intake-output charts, daily weight, and assessment for oedema or dehydration.

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in interstitial tissue spaces, producing swelling that may pit on pressure. It can result from heart failure, kidney disease, low albumin, venous obstruction, or lymphatic problems.

The systematic recording of all fluid a patient takes in and loses over a set period, usually 24 hours. Accurate charting supports assessment of hydration, renal function, and response to diuretic or intravenous therapy.

A life-threatening state in which tissue perfusion is inadequate to meet cellular oxygen and nutrient needs, causing organ dysfunction. Signs include low blood pressure, rapid weak pulse, cool clammy skin, confusion, and reduced urine output.

The core physiological measurements of temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and often oxygen saturation. They are recorded to detect deterioration, establish baselines, and evaluate response to treatment.

A hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, usually after 20 weeks, marked by raised blood pressure and protein in urine or other organ involvement. It can progress to seizures (eclampsia) and requires close monitoring and timely referral.

The occurrence of generalised seizures in a pregnant or recently delivered woman with pre-eclampsia, not explained by another cause. It is an obstetric emergency requiring airway protection, magnesium sulphate therapy, and urgent referral.

The scheduled health supervision of a pregnant woman before birth, including history taking, physical and abdominal examination, screening tests, health education, and planning for delivery. It aims to detect and manage risks early.

A graphic record used during labour to plot cervical dilatation, fetal head descent, contractions, and maternal and fetal observations against time. It helps detect slow progress and prompts timely referral or intervention.

Periodic or continuous listening to or recording of the fetal heart rate to assess fetal wellbeing during pregnancy and labour. Normal rates and reassuring variability suggest adequate oxygenation; abnormal patterns require action.

The harmful effects of excessive magnesium in the blood, given therapeutically for eclampsia. Signs include loss of deep tendon reflexes, respiratory depression, and reduced urine output; calcium gluconate is the antidote.

Feeding an infant only breast milk, without water, other fluids, or solid food, for the first six months of life, except for prescribed medicines. It supports immunity, growth, and bonding and reduces diarrhoeal illness.

A mixture of measured salts and glucose dissolved in clean water, given by mouth to replace fluid and electrolyte losses in diarrhoea. Correct preparation and frequent small feeds are essential for it to work safely.

Systematic checking for signs of fluid loss in a child, including sunken eyes, reduced skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, lethargy, and reduced urine output. Findings are graded to guide rehydration and referral decisions.

The regular measurement and plotting of a child's weight, height, and head circumference on standard charts to compare with expected norms over time. Falling growth curves prompt investigation for malnutrition or illness.

The nationally recommended timetable of vaccines given at defined ages to protect children against specified diseases. Nurses must know doses, intervals, contraindications, and cold-chain requirements to deliver it safely.

The system of storing and transporting vaccines within a required temperature range from manufacture to administration. Breaks in the chain can make vaccines ineffective, so temperature monitoring and correct fridge use are essential.

Essential health care made accessible to individuals and families in the community through acceptable, affordable, and participatory services. It emphasises prevention, health promotion, and care as close to home as possible.

A trained lay or auxiliary member of the local community who provides basic health education, screening, and linkage to formal services. They extend reach in underserved areas under supervision of facility-based staff.

The organised process by which a patient is transferred from one level of care to another with appropriate information, transport, and feedback. It aims to match needs to available resources without delay or loss of continuity.

A disease that must be reported to public health authorities so that surveillance, outbreak response, and control measures can be initiated. Reporting duties and timeframes are set by national law and regulations.

Purposeful verbal and non-verbal interaction that supports a patient's expression of feelings and understanding of their situation. Techniques include open questions, reflection, silence, and clarifying, while avoiding judgement or false reassurance.

A structured assessment of a patient's appearance, behaviour, speech, mood, thought content and form, perception, cognition, and insight. It establishes a baseline, guides diagnosis, and informs risk assessment and care planning.

A structured inquiry into a patient's thoughts, plans, intent, means, and history of self-harm, together with protective factors. It determines the level of observation, safety measures, and referral needed.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after receiving and understanding information about its purpose, benefits, risks, and alternatives. Valid consent requires capacity, adequate disclosure, and freedom from coercion.

The professional duty to protect a patient's personal health information from unauthorised disclosure. It may be overridden only with consent or where law requires reporting, such as notifiable diseases or court orders.

The obligation of a nurse to answer for their own actions, decisions, and omissions, and to practise within their competence and scope. It includes reporting errors, maintaining competence, and following professional standards.

The checks a nurse makes before giving a medicine, commonly the right patient, drug, dose, route, and time, with documentation and reason for refusal. These checks reduce preventable medication errors.

A harmful or unintended response to a medicine given at normal doses, ranging from rash to organ damage. Nurses must recognise, document, treat as needed, and report suspected reactions through the appropriate system.

The measurement of drug concentrations in blood to keep levels within a safe and effective range for medicines with narrow margins, such as digoxin or gentamicin. Results guide dose adjustment alongside clinical assessment.