Fundamentals of Nursing — NORCET One-Liners
Normal adult pulse rate: 60–100 beats/min.
Normal adult respiratory rate: 12–20 breaths/min.
Normal adult BP: approximately 120/80 mmHg.
Normal body temperature: ~37°C (98.6°F).
Normal SpO₂: generally 95–100% in a healthy adult.
Most accurate site for core body temperature: Pulmonary artery.
Most common pulse site: Radial artery.
Best site for checking central pulse in an unconscious adult: Carotid artery.
1st Korotkoff sound: Systolic BP.
Disappearance of Korotkoff sounds (Phase V): Diastolic BP in adults.
Normal capillary refill time: ≤2 seconds.
Medical asepsis: Reduces the number and spread of microorganisms.
Surgical asepsis: Eliminates all microorganisms, including spores, from an object/area.
Most important method of infection prevention: Hand hygiene.
Alcohol-based hand rub: Preferred when hands are not visibly soiled.
Handwashing with soap and water: Required when hands are visibly dirty/soiled.
Sterilization: Destruction/removal of all microorganisms, including bacterial spores.
Autoclave principle: Moist heat under pressure.
Common autoclave cycle: 121°C at 15 psi for 15–20 min (after reaching the required conditions).
Dry heat sterilization: Hot-air oven.
Boiling: Disinfection, not reliable sterilization.
PPE: Personal Protective Equipment.
Standard precautions: Applied to all patients, regardless of diagnosis.
First step in putting on PPE: Usually gown, depending on the specific protocol.
First item generally removed during PPE doffing: Gloves.
Bed position for a patient in shock: Supine with legs elevated, if not contraindicated.
Fowler’s position: Head of bed elevated about 45–60°.
Semi-Fowler’s: About 30–45°.
High-Fowler’s: About 60–90°.
Lithotomy position: Commonly used for gynecological/perineal procedures.
Trendelenburg position: Head lower than feet.
Reverse Trendelenburg: Head higher than feet.
Best position for an unconscious patient with vomiting risk: Lateral/recovery position.
Best position for administering an enema: Left lateral (Sims’ position).
Sims’ position: Left lateral, semi-prone.
Pressure injury prevention: Regular repositioning + pressure redistribution + skin care + nutrition.
Stage 1 pressure injury: Intact skin with non-blanchable erythema.
Stage 2: Partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis.
Stage 3: Full-thickness skin loss; adipose may be visible.
Stage 4: Full-thickness skin/tissue loss with exposed or directly palpable deeper structures.
Braden Scale: Assesses risk of pressure injury.
Glasgow Coma Scale: Assesses level of consciousness.
GCS components: Eye, Verbal, Motor.
Maximum GCS score: 15.
Minimum GCS score: 3.
Pain is: Whatever the experiencing person says it is.
Most reliable pain assessment: Patient’s self-report.
Numeric pain scale: Commonly 0–10.
Before giving medication: Follow the medication rights and verify patient/allergies.
“Five rights” of medication: Right patient, drug, dose, route, time.
Additional medication rights: Documentation, reason, response, education, and right to refuse may be included.
IM injection angle: 90°.
Subcutaneous injection angle: Usually 45° or 90°, depending on needle and tissue thickness.
Intradermal injection angle: 5–15°.
Common intradermal test: Mantoux/TB skin test.
Insulin is commonly administered: Subcutaneously.
Heparin is commonly administered: Subcutaneously.
Never massage after: Insulin or heparin injection.
Air-lock technique: Used with selected IM injections to prevent tracking of medication into subcutaneous tissue.
Z-track technique: Helps prevent leakage of irritating IM medication into subcutaneous tissue.
Most important nursing action before medication administration: Identify the correct patient.
Enteral route: Through the gastrointestinal tract.
Parenteral route: Administration outside the GI tract, usually by injection.
