Nursing: A Concept Based Approach to Learning, Volume 1, 5th edition

Published by Pearson (April 10, 2026) © 2027

Title overview

For courses in concept-based nursing.

The defining curriculum choice for concept-based nursing

Nursing: A Concept-Based Approach to Learning is the most complete concept-based learning solution for nursing programs. Covering the lifespan, this three-volume series uses a competency-based model designed to build expertise in the broad principles of nursing practice. As students connect concepts, they learn the value of clinical reasoning over memorization.

Volume 1 focuses on 21 biophysical concepts, with a focus on normal function, interrelationships and alterations. The 5th Edition introduces the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model and adds new research on maternity care. All content was reviewed and, where needed, revised in collaboration with nursing educators.

Hallmark features of Volumes 1 & 2

A complete concept-based solution

  • Instructional designers have crafted the conceptual content, including measurable objectives for each main section.
  • Content covers the lifespan, from pregnancy and birth, through childhood and adolescence, and into young, middle and old age.
  • Concepts and exemplars are set up consistently throughout the program, helping readers anticipate what they’ll learn.

Concept applications

  • A “Concepts Related to” feature encourages students to look beyond a single concept to the other concepts that may support the patient.
  • Special features include Health Promotion, Nursing Assessment, Lifespan Considerations and more.
  • Review sections after both concepts and exemplars include linking questions and a short case study with questions.

New and updated features of Volumes 1 & 2

New guidance on patient care

  • UPDATED: Greater emphasis on the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model is seen throughout the 5th Edition, including in Modules 1-33 (Vol. 1 & 2) and Module 36, Clinical Decision Making (Vol. 2).
  • EXPANDED: The popular Communicating with Patients feature helps new nurses communicate meaningfully with patients, at all phases of the nurse-patient relationship.

Updated maternity coverage

  • REVISED: Module 33, Reproduction, and all its Exemplars (Vol. 2), has been updated and rewritten. It includes new coverage of important maternal health topics.
  • EXPANDED: Exemplar 21.B, Bipolar Disorders (Vol. 1), includes greater coverage of safety considerations for pregnant and postpartum patients who take psychotropic medications.

New and revised exemplars

  • NEW: Exemplar 15.G, Pneumothorax (Vol. 1), is brand new to the 5th Edition.
  • UPDATED: Exemplar 9.I, COVID-19 (Vol. 1), has been extensively updated and moved from an online module to the text.

Key features

Features of MyLab Nursing for the 5th Edition

  • NEW: Animations help students visualize complex concepts such as system overviews and pathophysiology. With this context, students are better equipped to make clinical judgments.
  • Peer-to-Peer Evaluation tool gives students the opportunity to upload and evaluate videos documenting their skill performance.
  • Decision-Making Cases and NextGen NCLEX®-style case studies take students through a series of critical-thinking questions to learn more about how skills are performed in context.
  • Reflection questions help students make important connections between skill performance and patient care.
  • NCLEX-RN® review questions provide additional opportunities to think critically about skill performance and prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam.
  • Dynamic Study Modules pose a handful of questions and then respond to each student’s progress in real time. Learners deepen their grasp of concepts as they go.

Features of Pearson+ eTextbook for the 5th Edition

  • NEW: AI-powered study tool gives students access to an expert chatbot for personalized support, simplified explanations and guided practice.

Table of contents

PART I: BIOPHYSICAL MODULES

Module 1: Acid-Base Balance

  • The Concept of Acid-Base Balance
  • Exemplar 1.A Metabolic Acidosis
  • Exemplar 1.B Metabolic Alkalosis
  • Exemplar 1.C Respiratory Acidosis
  • Exemplar 1.D Respiratory Alkalosis

Module 2: Cellular Regulation

  • The Concept of Cellular Regulation
  • Exemplar 2.A Cancer
  • Exemplar 2.B Anemia
  • Exemplar 2.C Breast Cancer
  • Exemplar 2.D Colorectal Cancer
  • Exemplar 2.E Leukemia
  • Exemplar 2.F Lung Cancer
  • Exemplar 2.G Prostate Cancer
  • Exemplar 2.H Sickle Cell Disease
  • Exemplar 2.I Skin Cancer

Module 3: Comfort

  • The Concept of Comfort
  • Exemplar 3.A Acute and Chronic Pain
  • Exemplar 3.B End-of-Life Care
  • Exemplar 3.C Fatigue
  • Exemplar 3.D Fibromyalgia
  • Exemplar 3.E Sleep-Rest Disorders

Module 4: Digestion

  • The Concept of Digestion
  • Exemplar 4.A Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
  • Exemplar 4.B Hepatitis
  • Exemplar 4.C Malabsorption Disorders
  • Exemplar 4.D Pancreatitis
  • Exemplar 4.E Pyloric Stenosis

Module 5: Elimination

  • The Concept of Elimination
  • Exemplar 5.A Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
  • Exemplar 5.B Bladder Incontinence and Retention
  • Exemplar 5.C Bowel Incontinence, Constipation, and Impaction
  • Exemplar 5.D Urinary Calculi

Module 6: Fluids and Electrolytes

  • The Concept of Fluids and Electrolytes
  • Exemplar 6.A Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalance
  • Exemplar 6.B Acute Kidney Injury
  • Exemplar 6.C Chronic Kidney Disease

Module 7: Health, Wellness, and Illness

  • The Concept of Health, Wellness, and Illness
  • Exemplar 7.A Physical Fitness and Exercise
  • Exemplar 7.B Oral Health
  • Exemplar 7.C Normal Sleep-Rest Patterns

Module 8: Immunity

  • The Concept of Immunity
  • Exemplar 8.A HIV/AIDS
  • Exemplar 8.B Hypersensitivity
  • Exemplar 8.C Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Exemplar 8.D Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Module 9: Infection

  • The Concept of Infection
  • Exemplar 9.A Cellulitis
  • Exemplar 9.B Conjunctivitis
  • Exemplar 9.C Influenza
  • Exemplar 9.D Otitis Media
  • Exemplar 9.E Pneumonia
  • Exemplar 9.F Sepsis
  • Exemplar 9.G Tuberculosis
  • Exemplar 9.H Urinary Tract Infection
  • Exemplar 9.I COVID-19

Module 10: Inflammation

  • The Concept of Inflammation
  • Exemplar 10.A Appendicitis
  • Exemplar 10.B Gallbladder Disease
  • Exemplar 10.C Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Exemplar 10.D Nephritis
  • Exemplar 10.E Peptic Ulcer Disease

Module 11: Intracranial Regulation

  • The Concept of Intracranial Regulation
  • Exemplar 11.A Increased Intracranial Pressure
  • Exemplar 11.B Seizure Disorders
  • Exemplar 11.C Traumatic Brain Injury

Module 12: Metabolism

  • The Concept of Metabolism
  • Exemplar 12.A Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
  • Exemplar 12.B Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
  • Exemplar 12.C Liver Disease
  • Exemplar 12.D Osteoporosis
  • Exemplar 12.E Thyroid Disease

Module 13: Mobility

  • The Concept of Mobility
  • Exemplar 13.A Back Problems
  • Exemplar 13.B Fractures
  • Exemplar 13.C Hip Fractures
  • Exemplar 13.D Multiple Sclerosis
  • Exemplar 13.E Osteoarthritis
  • Exemplar 13.F Parkinson Disease
  • Exemplar 13.G Spinal Cord Injury

Module 14: Nutrition

  • The Concept of Nutrition
  • Exemplar 14.A Obesity

Module 15: Oxygenation

  • The Concept of Oxygenation
  • Exemplar 15.A Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
  • Exemplar 15.B Asthma
  • Exemplar 15.C Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
  • Exemplar 15.D Cystic Fibrosis
  • Exemplar 15.E Respiratory Syncytial Virus/Bronchiolitis
  • Exemplar 15.F Sudden Unexpected Infant Death
  • Exemplar 15.G Pneumothorax

Module 16: Perfusion

  • The Concept of Perfusion
  • Exemplar 16.A Cardiomyopathy
  • Exemplar 16.B Congenital Heart Defects
  • Exemplar 16.C Coronary Artery Disease
  • Exemplar 16.D Deep Venous Thrombosis
  • Exemplar 16.E Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
  • Exemplar 16.F Heart Failure
  • Exemplar 16.G Hypertension
  • Exemplar 16.H Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy
  • Exemplar 16.I Life-Threatening Dysrhythmias
  • Exemplar 16.J Peripheral Vascular Disease
  • Exemplar 16.K Pulmonary Embolism
  • Exemplar 16.L Shock
  • Exemplar 16.M Stroke

Module 17: Perioperative Care

  • The Concept of Perioperative Care

Module 18: Sensory Perception

  • The Concept of Sensory Perception
  • Exemplar 18.A Hearing Impairment
  • Exemplar 18.B Diseases of the Eye
  • Exemplar 18.C Eye Injuries
  • Exemplar 18.D Peripheral Neuropathy
  • Exemplar 18.E Ménière Disease

Module 19: Sexuality

  • The Concept of Sexuality
  • Exemplar 19.A Family Planning
  • Exemplar 19.B Menopause
  • Exemplar 19.C Menstrual Disorders
  • Exemplar 19.D Sexual Dysfunctions
  • Exemplar 19.E Sexually Transmitted Infections

Module 20: Thermoregulation

  • The Concept of Thermoregulation
  • Exemplar 20.A Hyperthermia
  • Exemplar 20.B Hypothermia

Module 21: Tissue Integrity

  • The Concept of Tissue Integrity
  • Exemplar 21.A Burns
  • Exemplar 21.B Pressure Injuries
  • Exemplar 21.C Wound Healing
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