This book is one of the core texts in the new series of Campion integrated nursing books. It is specifically written to address the needs of nursing students undertaking Project 2000 courses or other new curricula leading to registration or qualification as a nurse. In common with other books in the series it adopts a modular approach with clearly defined learning outcomes for each chapter and study activities throughout the book to facilitate independent study. An integration of theory with practice is reflected throughout and demonstrated through case studies and references to relevant research and theoretical literature. Self-test questions are included at the end of each module. In this foundation studies text, the emphasis is on the essential principles common to all branches of nursing. In line with the philosophy underlying Project 2000 there is an emphasis on health as well as ill-health and on the community as well as institutional care. It is recognized that the therapeutic intervention of nursing care does not occur in a vacuum and that nurses must learn a socially aware, transcultural and multidisciplinary approach to their work. It is also recognized that effective care involves the integration of up-to-date knowledge, firmly based on sound research and theoretical frameworks, with safe and effective practice. While the text will be of interest to all students of nursing, it will also be of particular value to those undertaking Common Foundation Programmes with the Project 2000 curriculum. The book will be accompanied by companion texts which address the main specialities or branches of nursing in greater depth. These companion texts should be of particular value to those undertaking branch programmes with the Project 2000 curriculum.