Check the detailed syllabus of BSc Nursing for AIIMS Norcet exam.
BSc Nursing
Applied Biochemistry & Microbiology – Semester II
In Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology, students explore physiological pathways and microbial structures. Key focus areas include carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms—essential for identifying clinical disorders like Diabetes Mellitus and atherosclerosis—alongside laboratory identification techniques like Gram staining and culturing. Infection Control and Safety expands on this by emphasizing immunity, immunization schedules, and transmission prevention.
Concurrently, Applied Nutrition and Dietetics details macro and micronutrient requirements, dietary guidelines across the lifecycle (e.g., pregnancy and lactation), and the implementation of specific therapeutic diets to manage metabolic and organ-related illnesses.
The core of practical nursing is established in Nursing Foundation, which covers comprehensive health assessments, the systematic Nursing Process, and essential intervention protocols. Students learn to safely manage vital patient needs, including administration of medications across various routes, oxygenation, hygiene, elimination care, and fluid/electrolyte balance. This clinical focus extends to specialized care for unconscious and terminally ill patients.
Finally, Health/Nursing Informatics introduces data systems like Electronic Health Records (EHR) and standardized terminologies (NANDA), equipping students to navigate legal governance, clinical risks, and evidence-based quality improvement in modern healthcare infrastructure.
Before checking the 2nd Semester read first: Norcet Semester 1 Syllabus 2026
Applied Biochemistry
| Unit | Content |
| I. Carbohydrates | Digestion, absorption and metabolism of carbohydrates and related disorders; Regulation of blood glucose; Diabetes Mellitus – Type 1 and Type 2, symptoms, complications and management (brief); Investigations of Diabetes Mellitus – OGTT (Indications, Procedure, Interpretation and types of GTT curve), Mini GTT, Extended GTT, GCT, IV GTT, HbA1c (definition only); Hypoglycemia – definition and causes. |
| II. Lipids | Fatty acids – definition and classification; Clinical significance of MUFA & PUFA, essential fatty acids and trans fatty acids; Digestion, absorption and metabolism of lipids and related disorders; Compounds formed from cholesterol; Ketone bodies (name, types and significance only); Lipoproteins – types and functions; Lipid profile; Atherosclerosis (brief). |
| III. Proteins | Classification of amino acids based on nutrition and metabolic rate with examples; Digestion, absorption and metabolism of proteins and related disorders; Biologically important compounds synthesized from amino acids (names only); Inborn errors of amino acid metabolism – aromatic amino acids (brief); Plasma proteins – types, functions and normal values; Causes of proteinuria, hypoproteinemia and hypergammaglobinemia; Principle of electrophoresis and normal & abnormal electrophoretic patterns (brief). |
| IV. Clinical Enzymology | Isoenzymes – definition and properties; Enzymes of diagnostic importance in liver diseases (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT); Myocardial infarction (CK, cardiac troponins, AST, LDH); Muscle diseases (CK, Aldolase); Bone diseases (ALP); Prostate cancer (PSA, ACP). |
| V. Acid Base Maintenance | pH – definition and normal value; Regulation of blood pH – blood buffers, respiratory and renal mechanisms; ABG – normal values; Acid-base disorders – types, definition and causes. |
| VI. Heme Catabolism | Heme degradation pathway; Jaundice – types, causes, urine and blood investigations (Van den Bergh test). |
| VII. Organ Function Tests | Biochemical parameters and normal values of Renal Function Tests, Liver Function Tests, and Thyroid Function Tests. |
| VIII. Immunochemistry | Structure and functions of immunoglobulins; ELISA – investigations and interpretation. |
Applied Nutrition and Dietetics
| Unit | Content |
| Introduction to Nutrition Concepts | Introduction to Nutrition Concepts • Definition of Nutrition & Health • Malnutrition – Under Nutrition & Over Nutrition • Role of Nutrition in maintaining health • Factors affecting food and nutrition |
| Nutrients | • Classification • Macro & Micronutrients • Organic & Inorganic • Energy Yielding & Non-Energy Yielding |
| Food | • Classification – Food groups • Origin |
| Carbohydrates | Carbohydrates • Composition – Starches, sugar and cellulose • Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) • Dietary sources • Functions |
| Energy | • Unit of energy – Kcal • Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) • Factors affecting BMR |
| Proteins | Proteins • Composition • Eight essential amino acids • Functions • Dietary sources • Protein requirements – RDA |
| Fats | Fats • Classification – Saturated & unsaturated • Calorie value • Functions • Dietary sources of fats and fatty acids • Fat requirements – RDA |
| Vitamins | Vitamins • Classification – fat soluble & water soluble • Fat soluble – Vitamins A, D, E, and K • Water soluble – Thiamine (vitamin B1), Riboflavin (vitamin B2), Nicotinic acid, Pyridoxine (vitamin B6), Pantothenic acid, Folic acid, Vitamin B12, Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) • Functions, Dietary Sources & Requirements – RDA of every vitamin |
| Minterals | Minerals • Classification – Major minerals (Calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and magnesium) and Trace elements • Functions • Dietary Sources • Requirements – RDA |
| Balanced Diet | Balanced diet • Definition, principles, steps • Food guides – Basic Four Food Groups • RDA – Definition, limitations, uses • Food Exchange System • Calculation of nutritive value of foods • Dietary fibre |
| Nutrition across life cycle | • Meal planning/Menu planning – Definition, principles, steps • Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) guidelines – breast feeding, infant foods • Diet plan for different age groups – Children, adolescents and elderly • Diet in pregnancy – nutritional requirements and balanced diet plan • Anemia in pregnancy – diagnosis, diet for anemic pregnant women, iron & folic acid supplementation and counselling • Nutrition in lactation – nutritional requirements, diet for lactating mothers, complementary feeding/weaning |
| Nutritional Defienciency disorder | Nutritional deficiency disorders • Protein energy malnutrition – magnitude of the problem, causes, classification, signs & symptoms. Severe acute malnutrition (SAM), management & prevention and nurses’ role • Childhood obesity – signs & symptoms, assessment, management & prevention and nurses’ role • Vitamin deficiency disorders – vitamin A, B, C & D deficiency disorders – causes, signs & symptoms, management & prevention and nurses’ role • Mineral deficiency diseases – iron, iodine and calcium deficiencies – causes, signs & symptoms, management & prevention and nurses’ role |
| Therapeutic Diets | Therapeutic diets • Definition, Objectives, Principles • Modifications – Consistency, Nutrients, • Feeding techniques. • Diet in Diseases – Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus, CVD, Underweight, Renal diseases, Hepatic disorders, Constipation, Diarrhea, Pre and Post-operative period |
| Cookery Rules and Prservation of Nutrients | Cookery rules and preservation of nutrients • Cooking – Methods, Advantages and Disadvantages • Preservation of nutrients • Measures to prevent loss of nutrients during preparation • Safe food handling and Storage of foods • Food preservation • Food additives and food adulteration • Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA) • Food standards |
| Nutritional Assessment and Nutrition Education | Nutrition assessment and nutrition education • Objectives of nutritional assessment • Methods of assessment – clinical examination, anthropometry, laboratory & biochemical assessment, assessment of dietary intake including Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) method • Nutrition education – purposes, principles and methods |
| National Nutritional Program and Role of Nurse | National Nutritional Programs and role of nurse • Nutritional problems in India • National nutritional policy • National nutritional programs – Vitamin A Supplementation, Anemia Mukt Bharat Program, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme (MDMS), National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Program (NIDDCP), Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) and others as introduced • Role of nurse in every program |
| Food Safety | Food safety • Definition, Food safety considerations & measures • Food safety regulatory measures in India – Relevant Acts • Five keys to safer food • Food storage, food handling and cooking • General principles of food storage of food items (ex. milk, meat) • Role of food handlers in food borne diseases • Essential steps in safe cooking practices |
Nursing Foundation Including Health Assessment Module
| Unit | Content |
| Health Assessment | Health Assessment • Interview techniques • Observation techniques • Purposes of health assessment • Process of Health assessment o Health history o Physical examination: ▪ Methods: Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Olfaction ▪ Preparation for examination: patient and unit ▪ General assessment ▪ Assessment of each body system ▪ Documenting health assessment findings |
| The Nursing Process | The Nursing Process • Critical Thinking Competencies, Attitudes for Critical Thinking, Levels of critical thinking in Nursing • Nursing Process Overview o Assessment ▪ Collection of Data: Types, Sources, Methods ▪ Organizing Data ▪ Validating Data ▪ Documenting Data o Nursing Diagnosis ▪ Identification of client problems, risks and strengths ▪ Nursing diagnosis statement – parts, Types, Formulating, Guidelines for formulating Nursing Diagnosis ▪ NANDA approved diagnoses ▪ Difference between medical and nursing diagnosis o Planning ▪ Types of planning ▪ Establishing Priorities ▪ Establishing Goals and Expected Outcomes – Purposes, types, guidelines, Components of goals and outcome statements ▪ Types of Nursing Interventions, Selecting interventions: Protocols and Standing Orders ▪ Introduction to Nursing Intervention Classification and Nursing Outcome Classification ▪ Guidelines for writing care plan o Implementation ▪ Process of Implementing the plan of care ▪ Types of care – Direct and Indirect o Evaluation ▪ Evaluation Process, Documentation and Reporting |
| Nutritional Needs | Nutritional needs • Importance • Factors affecting nutritional needs • Assessment of nutritional status • Review: special diets – Solid, Liquid, Soft • Review on therapeutic diets • Care of patient with Dysphagia, Anorexia, Nausea, Vomiting • Meeting Nutritional needs: Principles, equipment, procedure, indications o Oral o Enteral: Nasogastric/ Orogastric ▪ Introduction to other enteral feeds – types, indications, Gastrostomy, Jejunostomy o Parenteral – TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) |
| Hygience | Hygiene • Factors Influencing Hygienic Practice • Hygienic care: Indications and purposes, effects of neglected care o Care of the Skin – (Bath, feet and nail, Hair Care) o Care of pressure points o Assessment of Pressure Ulcers using Braden Scale and Norton Scale o Pressure ulcers – causes, stages and manifestations, care and prevention o Perineal care/ Meatal care o Oral care, Care of Eyes, Ears and Nose including assistive devices (eye glasses, contact lens, dentures, hearing aid) |
| Eliminiation Needs-Urinary Elimination | Elimination needs • Urinary Elimination o Review of Physiology of Urine Elimination, Composition and characteristics of urine o Factors Influencing Urination o Alteration in Urinary Elimination o Facilitating urine elimination: assessment, types, equipment, procedures and special considerations o Providing urinal/bed pan o Care of patients with ▪ Condom drainage ▪ Intermittent Catheterization ▪ Indwelling Urinary catheter and urinary drainage ▪ Urinary diversions ▪ Bladder irrigation • Bowel Elimination o Review of Physiology of Bowel Elimination, Composition and characteristics of feces o Factors affecting Bowel elimination o Alteration in Bowel Elimination o Facilitating bowel elimination: Assessment, equipment, procedures ▪ Enemas ▪ Suppository ▪ Bowel wash ▪ Digital Evacuation of impacted feces o Care of patients with Ostomies (Bowel Diversion Procedures) |
| Diagnostic Testing | Diagnostic testing • Phases of diagnostic testing (pre-test, intra-test & post-test) in Common investigations and clinical implications o Complete Blood Count o Serum Electrolytes o LFT o Lipid/Lipoprotein profile o Serum Glucose – AC, PC, HbA1c o Monitoring Capillary Blood Glucose (Glucometer Random Blood Sugar – GRBS) o Stool Routine Examination o Urine Testing – Albumin, Acetone, pH, Specific Gravity o Urine Culture, Routine, Timed Urine Specimen o Sputum culture o Overview of Radiologic & Endoscopic Procedures |
| Oxygeneration Needs | Oxygenation needs • Review of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology • Factors affecting respiratory functioning • Alterations in Respiratory Functioning • Conditions affecting o Airway o Movement of air o Diffusion o Oxygen transport • Alterations in oxygenation • Nursing interventions to promote oxygenation: assessment, types, equipment used & procedure o Maintenance of patent airway o Oxygen administration o Suctioning – oral, tracheal o Chest physiotherapy – Percussion, Vibration & Postural drainage o Care of Chest drainage – principles & purposes o Pulse Oximetry – Factors affecting measurement of oxygen saturation using pulse oximeter, Interpretation • Restorative & continuing care o Hydration o Humidification o Coughing techniques o Breathing exercises o Incentive spirometry |
| Fluid,Electrolyte and Add Base Balances | Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balances • Review of Physiological Regulation of Fluid, Electrolyte and Acid-Base Balances • Factors Affecting Fluid, Electrolyte and Acid-Base Balances • Disturbances in fluid volume: o Deficit: Hypovolemia, Dehydration o Excess: Fluid overload, Edema • Electrolyte imbalances (hypo and hyper) • Acid-base imbalances o Metabolic – acidosis & alkalosis o Respiratory – acidosis & alkalosis • Intravenous therapy o Peripheral venipuncture sites o Types of IV fluids o Calculation for making IV fluid plan o Complications of IV fluid therapy o Measuring fluid intake and output o Administering Blood and Blood components o Restricting fluid intake o Enhancing Fluid intake |
| Administration of Medications | Administration of Medications • Introduction – Definition of Medication, Administration of Medication, Drug Nomenclature, Effects of Drugs, Forms of Medications, Purposes, Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics • Factors influencing Medication Action • Medication orders and Prescriptions • Systems of measurement • Medication dose calculation • Principles, 10 rights of Medication Administration • Errors in Medication administration • Routes of administration • Storage and maintenance of drugs and Nurses responsibility • Terminologies and abbreviations used in prescriptions and medications orders • Developmental considerations • Oral, Sublingual and Buccal routes: Equipment, procedure • Introduction to Parenteral Administration of Drugs – Intramuscular, Intravenous, Subcutaneous, Intradermal: Location of site, Advantages and disadvantages of the specific sites, Indication and contraindications for the different routes and sites. • Equipment – Syringes & needles, cannulas, Infusion sets – parts, types, sizes • Types of vials and ampoules, Preparing Injectable medicines from vials and ampoules o Care of equipment: decontamination and disposal of syringes, needles, infusion sets o Prevention of Needle-Stick Injuries • Topical Administration: Types, purposes, site, equipment, procedure o Application to skin & mucous membrane o Direct application of liquids, Gargle and swabbing the throat o Insertion of Drug into body cavity: Suppository/ medicated packing in rectum/vagina o Instillations: Ear, Eye, Nasal, Bladder, and Rectal o Irrigations: Eye, Ear, Bladder, Vaginal and Rectal o Spraying: Nose and throat • Inhalation: Nasal, oral, endotracheal/tracheal (steam, oxygen and medications) – purposes, types, equipment, procedure, recording and reporting of medications administered • Other Parenteral Routes: Meaning of epidural, intrathecal, intraosseous, intraperitoneal, intra-pleural, intra-arterial |
| Sensory Needs | Sensory needs • Introduction • Components of sensory experience – Reception, Perception & Reaction • Arousal Mechanism • Factors affecting sensory function • Assessment of Sensory alterations – sensory deficit, deprivation, overload & sensory poverty • Management o Promoting meaningful communication (patients with Aphasia, artificial airway & Visual and Hearing impairment) |
| Care of Unconscious Patients | • Unconsciousness: Definition, causes & risk factors, pathophysiology, stages of Unconsciousness, Clinical Manifestations • Assessment and nursing management of patient with unconsciousness, complications |
| Care of terminally ill, death and dying | Care of Terminally ill, death and dying • Loss – Types • Grief, Bereavement & Mourning • Types of Grief responses • Manifestations of Grief • Factors influencing Loss & Grief Responses • Theories of Grief & Loss – Kubler Ross • 5 Stages of Dying • The R Process model (Rando’s) • Death – Definition, Meaning, Types (Brain & Circulatory Deaths) • Signs of Impending Death • Dying patient’s Bill of Rights • Care of Dying Patient • Physiological changes occurring after Death • Death Declaration, Certification • Autopsy • Embalming • Last office/Death Care • Counseling & supporting grieving relatives • Placing body in the Mortuary • Releasing body from Mortuary • Overview – Medico-legal Cases, Advance directives, DNI/DNR, Organ Donation, Euthanasia |
| Psychosocial Nees(A-D) | PSYCHOSOCIAL NEEDS (A-D) A. Self-concept • Introduction • Components (Personal Identity, Body Image, Role Performance, Self Esteem) • Factors affecting Self Concept • Nursing Management |
| Sexuality | B. Sexuality • Sexual development throughout life • Sexual health • Sexual orientation • Factors affecting sexuality • Prevention of STIs, unwanted pregnancy, avoiding sexual harassment and abuse • Dealing with inappropriate sexual behavior |
| Stress and Adaptation-introductiory concepts | C. Stress and Adaptation – Introductory concepts • Introduction • Sources, Effects, Indicators & Types of Stress • Types of stressors • Stress Adaptation – General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), Local Adaptation Syndrome (LAS) • Manifestation of stress – Physical & psychological • Coping strategies/ Mechanisms • Stress Management o Assist with coping and adaptation o Creating therapeutic environment • Recreational and diversion therapies |
| Concepts of cultural Diversity and Spirituality | D. Concepts of Cultural Diversity and Spirituality • Cultural diversity o Cultural Concepts – Culture, Subculture, Multicultural, Diversity, Race, Acculturation, Assimilation o Transcultural Nursing o Cultural Competence o Providing Culturally Responsive Care • Spirituality o Concepts – Faith, Hope, Religion, Spirituality, Spiritual Wellbeing o Factors affecting Spirituality o Spiritual Problems in Acute, Chronic, Terminal illnesses & Near-Death Experience o Dealing with Spiritual Distress/Problems |
| Nursing Theories introduction | Nursing Theories: Introduction • Meaning & Definition, Purposes, Types of theories with examples, Overview of selected nursing theories – Nightingale, Orem, Roy • Use of theories in nursing practice |
Health/Nursing Informatics and Technology
| Unit | Content |
| Introduction to Computer Application for patient care delivery system and nursing practice | Introduction to computer applications for patient care delivery system and nursing practice • Use of computers in teaching, learning, research and nursing practice • Windows, MS office: Word, Excel, Power Point • Internet • Literature search • Statistical packages • Hospital management information system |
| Principal of Health Informatics | Principles of Health Informatics • Health informatics – needs, objectives and limitations • Use of data, information and knowledge for more effective healthcare and better health |
| Information Systems in Healthcare | Information Systems in Healthcare • Introduction to the role and architecture of information systems in modern healthcare environments • Clinical Information System (CIS)/Hospital Information System (HIS) |
| Shared care & Electronic health records | Shared Care & Electronic Health Records • Challenges of capturing rich patient histories in a computable form • Latest global developments and standards to enable lifelong electronic health records to be integrated from disparate systems |
| Patient Safety & Clinical Risk | Patient Safety & Clinical Risk • Relationship between patient safety and informatics • Function and application of the risk management process |
| Clinical Knowledge & Decision Making | Clinical Knowledge & Decision Making • Role of knowledge management in improving decision-making in both the clinical and policy contexts • Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine, Clinical Terms, SNOMED CT to ICD-10-CM Map, standardized nursing terminologies (NANDA, NOC), Omaha system |
| E health Patients and the internet | eHealth: Patients and the Internet • Use of information and communication technology to improve or enable personal and public healthcare • Introduction to public health informatics and role of nurses |
| Using information in Healthcare Management | Using Information in Healthcare Management • Components of Nursing Information system(NIS) • Evaluation, analysis and presentation of healthcare data to inform decisions in the management of healthcare organizations |
| Information Law & Governance in clinical practice | Information Law & Governance in Clinical Practice • Ethical-legal issues pertaining to healthcare information in contemporary clinical practice • Ethical-legal issues related to digital health applied to nursing |
| Healthcare Quality & Evidence Based Practice | Healthcare Quality & Evidence Based Practice • Use of scientific evidence in improving the quality of healthcare and technical and professional informatics standards |
Applied Microbiology
| Unit | Content |
| I | Introduction: • Importance and relevance to nursing • Historical perspective • Concepts and terminology • Principles of microbiology |
| II | General characteristics of Microbes: • Structure and classification of Microbes • Morphological types • Size and form of bacteria • Motility • Colonization • Growth and nutrition of microbes • Temperature • Moisture • Blood and body fluids • Laboratory methods for Identification of Microorganisms • Types of Staining – simple, differential (Gram’s, AFB), special – capsular staining (negative), spore, LPCB, KOH mount. • Culture and media preparation – solid and liquid. Types of media – semi synthetic, synthetic, enriched, enrichment, selective and differential media. Pure culture techniques – tube dilution, pour, spread, streak plate. Anaerobic cultivation of bacteria |
| III | Pathogenic organisms • Micro-organisms: Cocci – gram positive and gram negative; Bacilli – gram positive and gram negative • Viruses • Fungi: Superficial and Deep mycoses • Parasites • Rodents & Vectors o Characteristics, Source, portal of entry, transmission of infection, Identification of disease producing micro-organisms |
| IV | Immunity • Immunity: Types, classification • Antigen and antibody reaction • Hypersensitivity reactions • Serological tests • Immunoglobulins: Structure, types & properties • Vaccines: Types & classification, storage and handling, cold chain, Immunization for various diseases • Immunization Schedule |
Infection control and Safety
| Unit | Content |
| Introduction | Introduction: • Importance and relevance to nursing • Historical perspective • Concepts and terminology • Principles of microbiology |
| General Characteristics of Microbes | General characteristics of Microbes: • Structure and classification of Microbes • Morphological types • Size and form of bacteria • Motility • Colonization • Growth and nutrition of microbes • Temperature • Moisture • Blood and body fluids • Laboratory methods for Identification of Microorganisms • Types of Staining – simple, differential (Gram’s, AFB), special – capsular staining (negative), spore, LPCB, KOH mount. • Culture and media preparation – solid and liquid. Types of media – semi synthetic, synthetic, enriched, enrichment, selective and differential media. Pure culture techniques – tube dilution, pour, spread, streak plate. • Anaerobic cultivation of bacteria |
| Pathogenic Oranism | Pathogenic organisms • Micro-organisms: Cocci – gram positive and gram negative; Bacilli – gram positive and gram negative • Viruses • Fungi: Superficial and Deep mycoses • Parasites • Rodents & Vectors o Characteristics, Source, portal of entry, transmission of infection, Identification of disease producing micro-organisms |
| Immunity | Immunity • Immunity: Types, classification • Antigen and antibody reaction • Hypersensitivity reactions • Serological tests • Immunoglobulins: Structure, types & properties • Vaccines: Types & classification, storage and handling, cold chain, Immunization for various diseases • Immunization Schedule |