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Fundamentals of Nursing Care

Nursing Care · 介護 - Kaigo · Written by Tokutei Pass based on the official study texts; not copied verbatim.

Preserving Dignity and Supporting Independence

The foundation of nursing care is protecting the dignity of care users and supporting a lifestyle true to who they are.

Based on user-centered care, caregivers respect each person's wishes and right to self-determination.

Independence support means encouraging users to do what they can by themselves and assisting only where needed.

Respecting hobbies and purpose in life improves Quality of Life (QOL) and realizes normalization in the local community.

Key points


  • Address users respectfully by name and treat them as independent adults rather than children.

  • Watch over users patiently even when tasks take time, making full use of their remaining abilities.

  • Knock and state your name before entering a resident's room, and protect privacy with curtains and towels.
WordMeaning
dignity
independence support
user-centered care
quality of life (QOL)
purpose in life (ikigai)

Advocacy, Physical Restraint, and Abuse Prevention

Advocacy (protection of rights) means speaking on behalf of users who have difficulty expressing their wishes and protecting their rights.

Tying a user with belts or cords, or stopping movement with harsh commands like 'Wait, do not stand up' (speech lock), constitutes physical restraint.

Physical restraint is prohibited in principle; emergency exceptions require three conditions: imminence, non-substitutability, and temporariness.

Elder abuse consists of five types: physical, psychological, financial, sexual abuse, and neglect (abandonment of care).

Key points


  • Neglect means leaving a user unattended without providing necessary meals, bathing, or toileting assistance.

  • Financial abuse means using a user's pension or savings without their consent.

  • If you witness or suspect elder abuse, report it immediately to your supervisor and follow facility procedures.
WordMeaning
advocacy (protection of rights)
physical restraint
imminence (urgency)
abandonment of care (neglect)
financial abuse

Professional Ethics, Care Insurance, and the Care Process

Care workers have a duty of confidentiality not to disclose personal information even after leaving the job, keeping records locked.

To use Long-Term Care Insurance services, applicants apply to their municipality for care need certification within the Community-based Integrated Care System.

In the WHO International Classification of Functioning (ICF), handrails, ramps, and caregiver support are classified as environmental factors.

The care process proceeds through four stages: Assessment, Care Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation.

Key points


  • When offered cash or gifts by a user, politely decline according to facility rules and report the fact to your supervisor.

  • In home-visit care, tasks not directly for the user—such as cooking for the whole family, walking pets, or weeding—are not permitted.

  • Share goals across professions in care conferences, and report changes in a user's condition to review the care plan.
WordMeaning
duty of confidentiality
care need certification
environmental factors
care process
interprofessional collaboration

Infection Control and Food Poisoning Prevention

Under Standard Precautions, all blood, body fluids, and excretions are treated as potentially infectious regardless of diagnosis.

Wash hands before and after care and immediately after removing disposable gloves, changing to a fresh pair for each care task.

Airborne infections include tuberculosis, measles, and chickenpox, while droplet infections include influenza.

Wipe Norovirus vomit from the outside inward wearing gloves and a mask, seal it in a bag, and disinfect with diluted sodium hypochlorite.

Infection Control and Food Poisoning Prevention

Key points


  • Handle laundry soiled with blood or excretions with gloves, separate it from other laundry, and disinfect before washing.

  • Regularly disinfect shared items such as handrails and wheelchair grips, and ventilate rooms to prevent odors and contact infection.

  • The three principles of food poisoning prevention are: do not attach, do not multiply, and destroy bacteria.
WordMeaning
Standard Precautions
airborne infection
droplet infection
sodium hypochlorite
vomit

Medical Collaboration, Medication, and Emergency Response

Care workers may perform routine nail clipping when there is no abnormality or inflammation in the nail or surrounding skin.

Sputum suction and tube feeding may be performed only after completing certified training, under a doctor's instruction and nurse collaboration.

To prevent medication errors, verify the user's name, medication, dose, and time, and watch until the medication is swallowed.

If a user falls, check consciousness without moving them carelessly and call a nurse; if unconscious in a bathtub, pull the drain plug immediately.

Key points


  • If a medication error occurs, report immediately to a nurse and supervisor, observe the user closely, and write an accident report.

  • Near-miss (Hiyari-hatto) reports are used to analyze causes before serious accidents occur and prevent recurrence.

  • During a fire, evacuate via stairs or ramps without using elevators; during an earthquake, protect the user's head first.
WordMeaning
sputum suction
tube feeding
medication error
evacuation guidance
accident report

Occupational Safety, Grooming, and End-of-Life Care

To avoid scratching users' skin, keep fingernails short, remove rings and wristwatches, and avoid strong perfume.

To prevent lower back pain, adjust bed height to waist level and use body mechanics and assistive devices.

If you have a fever or diarrhea before work, call your supervisor for instructions; manage mental health through rest and early consultation.

In end-of-life care, alleviate physical and emotional pain while supporting the wishes of both the user and their family.

Key points


  • Workplace 5S activities consist of Sort (Seiri), Set in order (Seiton), Shine (Seisou), Standardize (Seiketsu), and Sustain (Shitsuke).

  • Before using a wheelchair, inspect brake effectiveness and tire air pressure.

  • During night rounds, enter quietly and check breathing without shining a flashlight directly onto the user's face.
WordMeaning
lower back pain
assistive devices (welfare equipment)
end-of-life care
sorting and setting in order
night rounds (patrol)

Official references