Very new nursing student has a couple fundamental questions :)

[mamaofgideon]

Okay so this is my first semester as a nursing student and I am currently taking NUR101 Fundamentals... I am trying to get a grasp on the insane amount of reading we are required to do! Anyways... I was wondering if I could get some insight here.... ( this is probably really easy stuff, but I couldnt find the answers I was looking for in the text book, and honestly once I read 100 pages in a text book in one day I feel like my brain is mush...).

How does infection interfere with basic human needs? I mean I know that it could make a person perhaps incapable or providing some self care, interfere with nutrition and mobility... but I feel like I am missing something here...also how is fever a potential complication of infection?

Thanks!

[Mike R, ADN, BSN, RN]

So about the reading. Don't read all the chapters page by page. It's too much info any you'll never retain it all. Try this next time: read an entire chapter word by word, close the book and recite as much info as you can. I bet you can't remember much. Read the main points and general ideas. For disease processes, learn what causes it, signs and symptoms, complications, meds, foods, teachings and labs wouldn't hurt. For body processes, understand the general idea and don't get hung up on tiny random details. Understand and visualize how these processes effect the body overall. Think of the big picture.

About infection. Think of basic human needs this way. Instead of self-care etc, think on a more basic level; the cellular level. Cells need energy from oxygen and nutrients to fight infection and to stay alive. No evergy, no life So, basic human needs affected? Oxygenation and nutrition.

Hope that makes sense.

also how is fever a potential complication of infection?

Thanks!

Are you sure you don't understand how an infection may result in fever?

[madameflychica]

good to know thanks!

[mamaofgideon]

Mike thanks for your help, your explanation on infection put things in perspective for me... and I knew the fever explanation all along... Thanks!