Part 1 Nursing's perspective - past, present and future: evolution of nursing and health care; theoretical foundations of nursing; nursing education and research. Part 2 The individual and health care: the individual, health and holism; the life cycle; cultural diversity and nursing. Part 3 Delivery of health care: the health-care delivery system; nursing and alternative-treatment modalities; quality management. Part 4 Professional accountability and empowerment: professional accountability and leadership; legal responsibilities; ethical responsibilities. Part 5 The therapeutic nature of nursing: nursing, healing and caring; therapeutic interaction. Part 6 Nursing process - the standard of care: nursing process as a therapeutic framework; assessment; physical assessment and vital signs; nursing diagnosis; outcome identification and planning; implementation; evaluation; documentation of the therapeutic process. Part 7 Application of the nursing process: stress, anxiety and adaptation; responding to loss and grief; responding to knowledge deficits; responding to the special needs of the elderly; responding to the client undergoing diagnostic testing; responding to the peri-operative client. Part 8 Elemental standards of care and protocols for care: self-concept; safety and hygiene; oxygenation; comfort and sleep; medication administration; mobility; skin integrity; cognitive and sensory perception; metabolism; nutrition; elimination.