Includes bibliographic references and index.

Evolution of nursing and nursing education --
Nursing theory --
Research and evidence-based practice --
Health care delivery, quality, and the continuum of care --
Critical thinking, decision making, and the nursing process --
Assessment --
Nursing diagnosis --
Planning and outcome identification --
Implementation --
Evaluation --
Leadership, delegation, and power --
Legal and ethical responsibilities --
Documentation and informatics --
Nursing, healing, and caring --
Communication --
Health and wellness promotion --
Family and community health --
The life cycle --
The older client --
Cultural diversity --
Client education --
Self-concept --
Stress, Anxiety, Adaptation, and change --
Spirituality --
Loss and grief --
Vital signs --
Physical assessment --
Diagnostic testing --
Safety, infection control, and hygiene --
Medication administration --
Complementary and alternative modalities --
Oxygenation --
Fluids and electrolytes --
Nutrition --
Comfort and sleep --
Mobility --
Skin integrity and wound healing --
Sensation, perception, and cognition --
Elimination --
Nursing care of the perioperative client.

This textbook provides student with a bridge to connect theory with clinical practice. The intent of the authors is that students be prepared by becoming proficient critical thinkers who are able to use the nursing process with diverse clients in a variety of settings, aided by the linking of important nursing concepts such as safety and infection control and hygiene.