Clinical Foundations and Patient Safety

This unit develops core nursing care skills and safety practices essential for NCLEX‑RN preparation, including promotion of well‑being, basic pathophysiology, assessment interpretation, medication safety, infection control, care planning, and legal/ethical responsibilities. It builds on foundational concepts and prepares students for advanced clinical decision‑making and practicum experiences in subsequent units while introducing NCLEX test‑taking and licensure planning requirements.

Learning Objectives

• Apply evidence‑based nursing interventions to promote patient well‑being, adequate nutrition and hydration, sleep/rest, pain management, and coping, and document expected outcomes for diverse patient populations.
• Demonstrate safe practice skills by accurately performing medication calculations and the rights of medication administration, implementing infection control measures, and applying emergency/safety precautions in simulated clinical scenarios.
• Analyze diagnostic assessment data and basic pathophysiology to identify potential imbalances and prioritize nursing diagnoses, and develop individualized, measurable care plans that include appropriate delegation and assignment strategies.
• Evaluate NCLEX‑RN testing strategies, computer‑based testing procedures, legal and professional responsibilities, and credentialing requirements to create a personalized study and licensure readiness plan aligned with Texas TEKS and national standards.