PNC Licensing Examination Foundations and Fundamentals of Nursing Syllabus

Foundations and Fundamentals of Nursing syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Foundations and Fundamentals of Nursing in PNC Licensing Examination, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Nursing Profession and History

   4 topics

   • Evolution of nursing and historical figures
   • Pakistan Nursing Council and regulatory framework
   • Roles, scope, and categories of nursing practice
   • Professional organizations and registration
2. 2

   Nursing Process and Critical Thinking

   4 topics

   • Assessment and nursing diagnosis
   • Planning and goal setting
   • Implementation and evaluation
   • Documentation and reporting
3. 3

   Basic Nursing Skills and Procedures

   4 topics

   • Vital signs measurement
   • Hygiene and personal care
   • Positioning, mobility, and body mechanics
   • Specimen collection
4. 4

   Infection Prevention and Control

   4 topics

   • Chain of infection and asepsis
   • Hand hygiene and standard precautions
   • Sterilization and disinfection
   • Isolation techniques and PPE
5. 5

   Health Assessment

   4 topics

   • History taking and interview techniques
   • Physical examination techniques
   • Head-to-toe assessment
   • Systemic assessment
6. 6

   Comfort, Rest, and Safety

   4 topics

   • Pain assessment and management
   • Sleep and rest
   • Patient safety and fall prevention
   • Wound care and pressure injury prevention
7. 7

   Nutrition and Fluid Balance

   4 topics

   • Principles of nutrition
   • Enteral and parenteral feeding
   • Fluid and electrolyte balance
   • Intake and output monitoring

Foundations and Fundamentals of Nursing flashcards for PNC Licensing Examination

21 of 50 cards from the Foundations and Fundamentals of Nursing deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Who is considered the founder of modern nursing, and what was her major contribution during the Crimean War (1853-1856)?

   Florence Nightingale. She organized sanitary care for wounded soldiers, reduced mortality through hygiene and ventilation, and pioneered statistical recording of health data; known as 'The Lady with the Lamp.'

2. What year did Florence Nightingale establish the first formal nursing school, and where?

   1860, at St. Thomas' Hospital, London (the Nightingale Training School for Nurses).

3. Which nurse founded the American Red Cross, and in what year?

   Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in 1881.

4. In what year was the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC) established, and under what law?

   The Pakistan Nursing Council was established in 1948 under the Pakistan Nursing Council Act of 1952 (the regulatory body originated in 1948 and was formalized by the 1952 Act).

5. What is the primary function of the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC)?

   To regulate nursing education and practice in Pakistan: it sets curriculum standards, accredits nursing institutions, registers/licenses nurses, midwives, and LHVs, and maintains professional standards and ethics.

6. Under which federal ministry does the Pakistan Nursing Council operate?

   The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (Government of Pakistan).

7. Name the main categories of nursing personnel registered by the Pakistan Nursing Council.

   Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Midwife (RM), Lady Health Visitor (LHV), Nursing Auxiliary/Nursing Assistant, and specialized post-basic categories (e.g., public health, psychiatric nursing).

8. Define 'scope of practice' in nursing.

   The range of roles, responsibilities, functions, and activities a nurse is legally permitted and educationally prepared to perform, as defined by the regulatory body (PNC) and the nurse's qualifications.

9. What is the difference between a Registered Nurse (RN) and a Lady Health Visitor (LHV) in Pakistan?

   An RN provides comprehensive clinical nursing care across hospital and community settings after a general nursing diploma/degree; an LHV focuses on community/primary health care, maternal-child health, immunization, and health education.

10. What international professional organization represents nurses globally, and when was it founded?

    The International Council of Nurses (ICN), founded in 1899; it is the world's first and widest-reaching international organization for health professionals.

11. List the five steps of the nursing process in correct order.

    Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADPIE).

12. Define 'nursing assessment.'

    The systematic and continuous collection, organization, validation, and documentation of subjective and objective data about a patient's health status.

13. Differentiate subjective data from objective data in nursing assessment.

    Subjective data are what the patient states/feels (symptoms, e.g., 'I feel nauseous'); objective data are measurable/observable signs the nurse detects (e.g., temperature 39 C, rash).

14. What is a nursing diagnosis, and how does it differ from a medical diagnosis?

    A nursing diagnosis is a clinical judgment about a patient's response to actual or potential health problems that nurses are licensed to treat. A medical diagnosis identifies a disease/pathology treated by physicians. Example nursing: 'Impaired skin integrity'; medical: 'Diabetes mellitus.'

15. What organization developed the standardized nursing diagnosis taxonomy?

    NANDA International (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association).

16. What are the three components of a PES-format nursing diagnosis statement?

    P = Problem (diagnostic label), E = Etiology (related/'related to' factors), S = Signs and symptoms ('as evidenced by' the defining characteristics).

17. In the planning phase, what does a SMART goal stand for?

    Specific, Measurable, Achievable/Attainable, Relevant/Realistic, and Time-bound.

18. Differentiate a short-term goal from a long-term goal in nursing care planning.

    A short-term goal is achievable within hours to about a week; a long-term goal extends over weeks, months, or until discharge and addresses ongoing/chronic needs.

19. What is the difference between an independent and a dependent nursing intervention?

    Independent (nurse-initiated) interventions are actions a nurse performs autonomously (e.g., repositioning); dependent interventions require a physician's order (e.g., administering prescribed medication). Collaborative/interdependent interventions involve teamwork with other professionals.

20. What occurs during the evaluation phase of the nursing process?

    The nurse compares the patient's actual outcomes against the expected outcomes/goals, determines whether goals were met, partially met, or not met, and revises the care plan accordingly.

21. What does the documentation principle 'If it wasn't documented, it wasn't done' mean?

    Legally and professionally, only documented care is considered to have been provided; accurate, timely charting is the official record and legal proof of care given.

See more Foundations and Fundamentals of Nursing flashcards →

Planning Foundations and Fundamentals of Nursing for PNC Licensing Examination

Foundations and Fundamentals of Nursing (PNC Licensing Examination) FAQ