Sweaty armpits, clammy hands, feeling of impending doom, and feeling like the room is closing in on nursing students are all symptoms of anxiety about taking a nursing test. Many students experience these feelings during a test, and they tend to be overwhelming. The author talks about ways to decrease anxiety and share some test-taking strategies to help the nursing students through both the NCLEX and nursing school. She discusses ways to decrease anxiety while test taking. The author instructs the nursing students to take their own time to learn all the information and to study the material every week until the exam. She also instructs the nursing students to attend study groups, which gives them not only extra credit but also a better idea of what is on the exam.

Fundamentals of Nursing are the first nursing class nursing students will take to begin the nursing program. The skills nursing students learn in this course will provide the foundation for the many nursing responsibilities nursing students will assume throughout their career as both a nurse and a student. Fundamentals of nursing introduces nursing students to the thorough assessment of patients, the nursing process, communication between nurse and patient, cultural differences, functional health patterns, and the overall framework of nursing practice. From the time a patient is first admitted up to the day of discharge, patient education is very important. It is important for the patient to know and be aware of nursing care each step of the way. Explain patients’ medical diagnoses and provide printouts for them to review and read. As a nurse and student, it is important to be aware of the cultural diversity among patients.

Emergency nursing is needed when a patient presents with a critical illness or medical situation. As nurses, our job is to prevent complications, but not all critical situations can be prevented. Nursing student/nurse may have a situation where a rapid response or code blue is called, meaning that a patient’s current medical status has changed from stable to critical. A critical care team is available to provide care in these situations where a quick response is key to patients’ survival. This chapter discusses the most common emergency situations such as cardiac arrest, septic shock, perforated bowel, and gastrointestinal bleed you may encounter as a nursing student and as a nurse. Nurses are often the ones to recognize when a patient is in need of immediate care. Nursing interventions for respiratory failure is CPR is initiated. Mechanical ventilation is needed. A respiratory stimulant such as Doxapram is given.

In this chapter, the author discusses the standard nursing curriculum and a reference for every core nursing course Completing nursing school and the NCLEX brings the nursing students to another major pinnacle of their nursing career. As they enter their first nursing job, they will notice quickly the series of emotions they will go through. Emotions such as anxiety, nervousness, fear, confusion, and a little excitement were the feelings the author felt during the first days of her nursing career. These emotions slowly dissipate as the nursing students become more comfortable with the task at hand. Nursing is a field in which education is ongoing. There are always new medications and ailments that the nursing students will be responsible for knowing. At times it is challenging, but it is a very rewarding and humbling career.

Pediatric patients tend to be a little happier, full of life, and excited about everything. Patients vary in age from babies to 17-year-olds. In the pediatric nursing course, nursing students learn about the stages of development, common disorders such as cardiovascular disorders, respiratory disorders and hematological disorders, treatments, and nursing interventions. The course exams will be based on learning the various conditions and recognizing the nursing interventions for each. The assessment of a child is similar to that of the adult. Nursing students want to start their assessment from head to toe in order to get a general overall appearance of the patient. Always obtain a health history before beginning the assessment. To assess hearing acuity for infants, clap to elicit a response. For school-age children, a whispe.

Psychiatric nursing involves working with individuals with various mental disorders like schizophrenia, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and bipolar disorder. In psychiatric nursing, nursing student will continue to use the medsurg skills when necessary, but the real focus is upon therapeutic use of self. They will learn how to use words, body language, and the milieu to facilitate healing for patients with mental illness. Psychopharmacology, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), light therapy, vagal nerve stimulation, and transmagnetic stimulation of the brain are some procedures used to treat psychiatric disorders. They will learn the basics of supportive therapy using therapeutic communication, assessment of common signs and symptoms of mental illness, and multiple treatment modalities. Patients with psychiatric disorders may exhibit both physical and emotional symptoms. Although no medical problems may be assessed on initial examination, a patient’s symptoms may be exacerbated by the severe mental stressors.

This chapter defines each medication such as cardiovascular medications, antiplatelet medications, anticoagulants, cardiac glycosides and antiarrhythmic medications, and lists its side effects, explains its pharmacokinetics, and summarizes related nursing care. One of the many responsibilities of a nurse is to safely administer medication to patients. It is important to know what nurse are administering, its side effects, and the route. Nurse should also be able to educate the patient on the medications prescribed. In the hospital, medications are administered electronically. The patient wears an armband that is scanned and registered into the computer. This is a great process because there is less room for error. Pain medication can constipate patients, and a stool softener should be given in conjunction. Teach the patient about the side effects of pain medications. Monitor the patient’s mental status. Narcan can be given if the patient is overmedicated.

This chapter highlights effective studying as the key to success in nursing school. It closely follows the standard nursing curriculum and is designed as a reference for every core nursing course. To facilitate successful exam preparation, the chapter highlights important material most likely to appear on class exams. It also includes the tips on what to expect on the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN^®) to the nursing student such as the day before the exam, try to relax and do not study. Take the time to do something fun or enjoyable, the day of the exam eat a proper breakfast. Arrive at the test center early. Arriving late can forfeit your opportunity to take the exam. The NCLEX is just another step on the way to nursing student main goal. Stay confident and, before they know it, they will be working on a nursing unit.

Strangulation is the reduction of blood flow and oxygenation to or from the brain that occurs from external compression of the blood vessels in the neck. Strangulation can be accomplished via multiple methods and can be difficult to detect. Although some victims of strangulation may be identified during episodic care, it is more likely that victims will not disclose intimate partner violence (IPV). This chapter describes the signs and symptoms of strangulation, informs on screening and treatment of victims during episodic care, and provides guidance for assisting victims toward aftercare resources. It helps the nurse to: define strangulation and understand the high risk that strangulation poses to lethality for victims of IPV; identify populations who may be at risk for strangulation; understand the signs and symptoms of strangulation; differentiate between strangulation and choking and assist victims to differentiate; and identify resources for victims of IPV and strangulation.

Elder maltreatment is an increasing issue worldwide, mostly due to the rise in the older adult population. Abuse of the elderly can happen to anyone and varies with culture. Nurses are mandatory reporters, so it is crucial to know your organization’s policy and your state laws. The chapter helps the nurse to: define elderly abuse; differentiate between the different types of elderly abuse; recognize the “red flags” of elderly abuse; explain elderly abuse reporting; and identify various resources for elderly abuse. Forensic nurses and nurses who work with elders are in a key position to screen, identify, and provide linkage and resources to those most vulnerable and at risk. It is imperative that nurses have a foundational knowledge in elder maltreatment so that they can help patients who may be experiencing any types of abuse and address this serious public health problem.