Nursing care

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Nursing care refers to the wide range of healthcare services provided by nurses to individuals, families, and communities. It encompasses all the activities performed by nurses to promote, maintain, and restore health.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Nursing care is an integral part of the healthcare system, and it involves the provision of personalized care to patients. This includes physical care, emotional support, and education about health conditions and treatment options. Nurses work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and patients' homes.

Types of Nursing Care[edit | edit source]

There are several types of nursing care, each designed to meet specific healthcare needs. These include:

  • Primary Care: This is the first point of contact for patients in the healthcare system. Nurses in primary care settings provide preventative care, treat common illnesses and injuries, and manage chronic conditions.
  • Tertiary Care: This involves complex procedures and treatments provided by highly specialized nurses in hospital settings.
  • Quaternary Care: This is an extension of tertiary care, involving advanced levels of highly specialized and not widely accessed healthcare.

Roles and Responsibilities[edit | edit source]

Nurses have a wide range of roles and responsibilities in the provision of nursing care. These include:

  • Assessment: Nurses assess patients' health conditions and needs. This involves taking a health history, performing a physical examination, and reviewing diagnostic tests.
  • Planning: Based on the assessment, nurses develop a care plan for each patient. This includes setting goals for the patient's health and determining the best ways to achieve them.
  • Implementation: Nurses carry out the care plan, providing treatments and interventions as needed. They also monitor patients' responses to treatment and make adjustments to the care plan as necessary.
  • Evaluation: Nurses evaluate the effectiveness of the care plan and the patient's progress towards achieving their health goals. They use this information to update the care plan and ensure that it continues to meet the patient's needs.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Nursing care Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD