Unit I Core Knowledge

Section One: Critical thinking (Competencies 1, 2)

Chapter 1 Introduction to gerontological nursing

Chapter 2 The aging population

Chapter 3 Theories of aging

Section Two: Communication (Competencies 3, 4)

Chapter 4 Aging changes that affect communication

Chapter 5 Therapeutic communication with older adults

Section Three: Assessment (Competencies 5 – 8) and technical skills (Competencies 9, 10)

Chapter 6 A review of normal aging changes

Chapter 7 Comprehensive assessment of the older adult

Chapter 8 Medications and lab values

Chapter 9 Teaching older adults and their families

Chapter 10 Promoting independence in later life

Section Four: Health promotion, risk reduction, and disease prevention (Competencies 11 – 13)

Chapter 11 Promoting healthy aging

Section Five: Illness and disease management (Competencies 14, 15)

Chapter 12 Identifying and preventing common risk factors

Chapter 13 Management of common illnesses, diseases, or health conditions

Chapter 14 Management of common problems

Chapter 15 Managing dementia

Section Six: Information and health care technologies (Competencies 16, 17)

Chapter 16 Using technology to promote quality of life for older adults

Section Seven: Ethics (Competencies 18, 19)

Chapter 17 Ethical principles and issues

Section Eight: Human diversity (Competency 20)

Chapter 18 Appreciating the influences of diversity

Section Nine: Global health care, health care systems and policy (Competency 21 - 24)

Chapter 19 Global models of health care

Unit II Role Development

Section Ten: Provider of Care (Competencies 25, 26)

Chapter 20 The interdisciplinary team

Chapter 21 Alternative health modalities

Section Eleven: Designer/manager/coordinator of care (Competencies 27 – 29)

Chapter 22 Promoting quality of life

Chapter 23 The gerontological nurse as manager and leader in the profession

Section Twelve: Member of a profession (Competency 30)

Chapter 24 End of life care

Chapter 25 Future trends in gerontology