Digital library
Textbooks, references and open learning resources.
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Radiation Safety (Ballard)
Jason S. Ballard · Linn-Benton Community College
The purpose of this OER is to provide students with a comprehensive textbook aligned with the NDT 130 (Radiographic Testing) course as taught at Linn-Benton Community College.
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Undergraduate Diagnostic Imaging Fundamentals
Brent Burbridge and Evan Mah · University of Saskatchewan
In the contents: 3.09: Nuclear Medicine
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Chem 410: Chemistry for Health Sciences
Skyline
Survey of the principles of general, organic, and biochemistry. The physical and chemical properties of inorganic, organic, and biomolecules. Includes a study of equilibrium in chemical systems with special emphasis on chemical processes in the body. The laboratory component introduces qualitative and quantitative techniques of chemical study and manipulations with inorganic, organic, and biochemical reactions. Designed for Health Science majors (e.g. respiratory therapy, nursing).
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NURS142: Health Assessment in Nursing
Bugosh, McAlicher, and Zaharchuk · Harrisburg Area Community College
This Health Assessment in Nursing textbook is an open educational resource developed for entry-level undergraduate nursing students. It is aligned with the Harrisburg Area Community College's nursing curriculum for the Physical Assessment course NURS142 that describes techniques for obtaining a complete health history and performing a basic physical assessment using a body systems approach.
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An Introduction to Human Nutrition
Jan Dowell and Erin Shanle · Lincoln Land Community College
Introduction to Human Nutrition bridges the gap between the science of nutrition and the practical aspect of choosing foods to provide optimal nutrient intake. Wellness is a key theme as making nutrition choices can be impacted by many factors in one’s lifestyle. The content supports nutrition considerations ranging from a community perspective to making healthy food choices for today’s diverse college-level students.
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Microbiomes: Health and the Environment
Dylan Parks · Mavs Open Press · 2022
Microbiomes: Health and the Environment was created to provide accessible insight into the novel and complex world of polymicrobial community interactions. As we push forward into the future of medicine and environmental health, it is imperative that we learn from each other, from history, and keep up to date with the latest advances in research and technology. This book not only provides content from the latest microbiome studies, but contains interactive tools, videos, and thought-provoking questions to help the reader hone and truly understand the respective topic. Though there is much overlap between themes due to the ubiquitous nature of microbes, the book is broken down into sections pertaining to both human health (e.g., gut health and disease, as well as other organ-specific niches) and aspects of the environment (e. g., nutrient cycling and climate change, marine health, soil and plant health, etc.) influenced by microbes. However, the content is designed to bridge ideas and aspects between these themes to support the One Health concept: that the health of people, animals, and the environment are all interconnected. This project will continue to grow with new findings, and adapt with the ever-changing world of microorganisms.
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Molecular Techniques: A Project-Based Undergraduate Laboratory
Ming-Mei Chang · Milne Open Textbooks · 2026
Molecular biology, examining the structures and functions of nucleic acids and proteins, is crucial to advancing biological science and improving human life, particularly in agriculture and medicine. Advances in the field can transform a crop to resist disease or uncover clues to fight illness by manipulating DNA. Techniques for molecular biology research and applications have advanced rapidly over the past decades, and undergraduates need hands-on experiences in this vital field of science. This text provides a structured approach to learning and practicing those techniques, covering DNA, RNA, and protein across five modules and is tailored for a one-semester undergraduate lab course. Each module extends 2–5 weeks of lab exercises and features.
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Human Evolutionary Demography
Oskar Burger; Ronald Lee; Rebecca Sear · Open Book Publishers · 2024
Human evolutionary demography is an emerging field blending natural science with social science. This edited volume provides a much-needed, interdisciplinary introduction to the field and highlights cutting-edge research for interested readers and researchers in demography, the evolutionary behavioural sciences, biology, and related disciplines. By bridging the boundaries between social and biological sciences, the volume stresses the importance of a unified understanding of both in order to grasp past and current demographic patterns. Demographic traits, and traits related to demographic outcomes, including fertility and mortality rates, marriage, parental care, menopause, and cooperative behavior are subject to evolutionary processes. Bringing an understanding of evolution into demography therefore incorporates valuable insights into this field; just as knowledge of demography is key to understanding evolutionary processes. By asking questions about old patterns from a new perspective, the volume—composed of contributions from established and early-career academics—demonstrates that a combination of social science research and evolutionary theory offers holistic understandings and approaches that benefit both fields. Human Evolutionary Demography introduces an emerging field in an accessible style. It is suitable for graduate courses in demography, as well as upper-level undergraduates. Its range of research is sure to be of interest to academics working on demographic topics (anthropologists, sociologists, demographers), natural scientists working on evolutionary processes, and disciplines which cross-cut natural and social science, such as evolutionary psychology, human behavioral ecology, cultural evolution, and evolutionary medicine. As an accessible introduction, it should interest readers whether or not they are currently familiar with human evolutionary demography.
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Pulmonary Pathophysiology for Pre-Clinical Students
Andrew Binks · Virginia Tech Publishing · 2022
Pulmonary Pathophysiology for Pre-Clinical Students is an undergraduate medical-level resource for foundational knowledge of pulmonary pathophysiology. This text is designed for a course pre-clinical undergraduate medical curriculum and it is aligned to USMLE(r) (United States Medical Licensing Examination) content guidelines. The text is meant to provide the essential information from these content areas in a concise format that would allow learner preparation to engage in an active classroom. Clinical correlates and additional application of content is intended to be provided in the classroom experience. The text assumes that the students will have an understanding of basic cardiovascular physiology that will be helpful to understand the content presented here. This resource should be assistive to the learner later in medical school and for exam preparation given the material is presented in a succinct manner, with a focus on high-yield concepts. The 82-page text was created specifically for use by pre-clinical students at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and was based on faculty experience and peer review to guide development and hone important topics. Instructors reviewing, adopting, or adapting parts or the whole of the text are requested to register their interest at: https://bit.ly/interest-preclinical. Instructors and subject matter experts interested in and sharing their original course materials relevant to pre-clinical education are requested to join the instructor portal at https://www.oercommons.org/groups/pre-clinical-resources/10133.
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A Guide to the Principles of Animal Nutrition
Gita Cherian · Oregon State University · 2020
Based on over 20 years of teaching experience in animal nutrition, this study guide will enhance learning basic food animal nutritional principles.In this introductory text, six fundamental nutrients, their structure, digestion, and metabolism are covered. A brief introduction to bioenergetics, feed additives, nutrient analysis, digestive organs and processes in monogastric and ruminant animals, and methods for assessing nutrient utilization are also included.Each chapter is illustrated with a new terms box, key points, and review questions.This study guide is an essential learning tool for undergraduate students majoring in animal sciences, veterinary medicine, or other related disciplines.
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Foundations of Radiation Safety & Radiobiology: For Undergraduate Students in the Radiation Sciences
Jared Stiles; Hannah Fink-Flesburg · University of Iowa · 2026
This open textbook covers the foundations of radiation safety and radiobiology in medical imaging and radiation therapy. It is meant for undergraduate students in the radiation sciences.
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Medical-Surgical Nursing
Christy Bowen; Bridget Carey; Jessica Palozie; Maren Reinholdt · OpenStax · 2024
Medical-Surgical Nursing is a comprehensive and engaging resource for nursing students, equipping them with the essential knowledge and skills required to provide high-quality care. Building on the foundational knowledge and skills acquired in previous nursing courses, this textbook expands students’ learning with concepts in medical-surgical nursing. The offering provides the background to ensure that nursing students are well-versed in both the science and art of nursing, capable of critical thinking, clinical judgment, and compassionate care. Medical-Surgical Nursing encompasses a broad range of patient-care situations, from managing chronic conditions to providing postoperative care. The material includes concise explanations to facilitate understanding, as well as rich reviews of pathophysiology, ensuring students grasp essential concepts without becoming overwhelmed. Beyond theoretical knowledge, the text emphasizes the development of practical skills and competencies, and incorporates evidence-based best practices into each of its 38 chapters.
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Fundamentals of Nursing
Christy Bowen; Lindsay Draper; Heather Moore · OpenStax · 2024
Fundamentals of Nursing aligns with the outcomes and competencies of a nursing fundamentals course. It is designed to provide students with the foundational knowledge and practical expertise essential for delivering holistic and patient-centered care. The authors emphasize the application of clinical judgment across diverse healthcare environments, ensuring readiness to deliver high-quality, compassionate care in an inclusive and supportive manner. Composed of 43 chapters, Fundamentals of Nursing offers an in-depth exploration of the roles and responsibilities of the nursing profession, the healthcare environment, and the application of critical thinking and evidence-based practice. Fundamentals of Nursing features a variety of engaging and informative resources designed to prepare students for real-world clinical environments. By simulating patient interactions, students develop critical communication skills essential for effective nursing care. Insights from practicing nurses provide real-world perspectives, helping bridge the gap between theory and practice. The offering builds student confidence and competence through its focus on Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN), inclusion of robust unfolding case studies, and integration of NCLEX practice.
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Pharmacology for Nurses
Tina Barbour-Taylor; Leah Mueller (Sabato); Donna Paris; Dorie Weaver · OpenStax · 2024
Pharmacology for Nurses is intended for nursing students in an introductory program. It provides a fundamental understanding of the therapeutic use of drugs, so the nurse can provide safe and effective care to the client. Along with a discussion of each body system, the text also reviews the pathophysiology of various disease processes and medications used in treatment. The table of contents presents 40 chapter topics, organized into 11 units. The first unit, consisting of 3 chapters, provides a broad overview of pharmacology, with the following 10 units focused on specific body systems. Pharmacology for Nurses helps students prepare for the licensing exam and their careers by offering applicable, real-life content in short, manageable sections. The material focuses on common client conditions that nurses will encounter throughout their career and embraces a skills orientation (what does a nurse do). The text presents information in a holistic manner that ties the disease process to its pharmacological treatment. As a result, Pharmacology for Nurses will give students the confidence to safely administer medications to clients, as well as provide medication education to clients and their caregivers.
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Introduction to Animal Science
Deanne Pawlisch · Aurora University · 2026
This text is designed for a one-semester Introduction to Animal Science course for undergraduate students. For many students, this course sparks interest in a career with animals, while for others, it is a required course. Therefore, this text is intended to be a "buffet" of animal science topics, allowing students to sample a little bit of everything to develop an understanding of the importance of animals in their lives and in the world around them.
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Clinical Nursing Skills
Christy Bowen · OpenStax · 2024
Clinical Nursing Skills is designed to equip nursing students with the practical knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to provide comprehensive patient care. The material emphasizes the application of clinical judgment in a variety of settings, ensuring that students are prepared to deliver high-quality care across different patient populations and clinical scenarios. The content utilizes concepts promoting the development of clinical judgment by building upon the systematic model developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Clinical Nursing Skills provides detailed instructions on basic procedures such as hygiene, mobility, vital signs assessment, medication administration, and wound care. It also guides students through more complex skills, including intravenous therapy, catheterization, tracheostomy care, and emergency interventions. By integrating the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model, the material helps students recognize, analyze, prioritize, create, act, and evaluate outcomes in various clinical situations, fostering critical thinking and clinical decision making. By studying Clinical Nursing Skills, students will gain the confidence and competence needed to perform essential nursing tasks, make informed clinical decisions, and provide compassionate, patient-centered care, which will prepare students for success in their clinical rotations and future professional practice.
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Maternal-Newborn Nursing
Amy Giles; Regina Prusinski; Laura Wallace · OpenStax · 2024
Maternal-Newborn Nursing introduces students to the concepts and skills related to pregnancy, birth, postpartum, newborn care, reproductive health, and social determinants related to those topics. Written and thoroughly reviewed by experienced nurse educators, the material focuses on patient safety, mental health, and inclusive care, and offers robust real-world scenarios and situational patient education experiences to apply concepts to practice. Maternal-Newborn Nursing builds on the students’ existing knowledge and skills and expands their learning to new concepts and considerations. Students will be able to implement the Clinical Judgement Measurement Model to recognize, analyze, prioritize, create, act on, and evaluate outcomes throughout the many conditions presented across the life stages. The offering integrates core frameworks such as QSEN, and its robust sets of practice questions, unfolding case studies, and additional resources support the Next Generation NCLEX.
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Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
Rebecca Puchkors; Jeanne Saunders; David Sharp · OpenStax · 2024
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing is designed to support a one-semester psychiatric-mental health nursing course offered at both two-year and four-year institutions. Serving students specializing in psychiatric nursing and those from other health disciplines, this learning resource integrates evidence-based practices with practical strategies for communication, readying students to build therapeutic relationships with patients and caregivers. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing uses a logical, thematic organization that breaks content down into manageable sections. Each unit is designed to foster a deep understanding of the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of mental health. The content helps students make meaningful connections between various psychiatric conditions and the corresponding nursing approaches. By focusing on tailored psychiatric interventions and emphasizing patient-centered approaches, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate diverse mental health settings.
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Health Promotion in Health Care – Vital Theories and Research
Gørill Haugan; Monica Eriksson · Springer · 2021
This open access textbook represents a vital contribution to global health education, offering insights into health promotion as part of patient care for bachelor’s and master’s students in health care (nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, radiotherapists, social care workers etc.) as well as health care professionals, and providing an overview of the field of health science and health promotion for PhD students and researchers. Written by leading experts from seven countries in Europe, America, Africa and Asia, it first discusses the theory of health promotion and vital concepts. It then presents updated evidence-based health promotion approaches in different populations (people with chronic diseases, cancer, heart failure, dementia, mental disorders, long-term ICU patients, elderly individuals, families with newborn babies, palliative care patients) and examines different health promotion approaches integrated into primary care services.
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Principles of Epidemiology: A Primer
Christy Bazan; Pedro Hallal; Rachel Hoopsick; Sheena Martenies · University of Illinois Library - Urbana · 2026
Principles of Epidemiology: A Primer is an open-access, introductory textbook crafted for students and professionals in public health and allied health fields. The textbook is designed to provide an overview of the basic principles of epidemiology, providing a brief historical overview, summarizing tools, processes and principles of epidemiology and their contribution to public health.