Pocket Guide to Basic Skills and Procedures

This popular pocket guide is a practical, portable reference for students and practitioners performing basic skills in any clinical setting. Grouped according to specialty area, nearly 100 commonly performed procedures are presented in a clear, step-by-step format that includes the purpose, equipment list, and rationales for each step. Nurse Alerts, Recording Guidelines, Teaching, Pediatric and Older Adult Considerations provide valuable information to ensure delivery of competent, comprehensive, client-focussed care. This revision targets key changes in health care delivery, adding a number of features designed to address current practice. New content includes five new skills, the latest CDC Precautions, considerations for performing procedures in the home, and guidelines for delegating to unlicensed assistive personnel. Skills throughout reflect an increased focus on assessment, evaluation, and client self-care.

PRELIMINARY SKILLS * Admission into the Health Care System * Making a Referral for Health Care Services * Discharge from a Health Care Agency * VITAL SIGNS * Measuring Oral Temperature * Measuring Rectal Temperature * Measuring Auxillary Temperature * Measuring Tympanic Membrane Temperature * Assessing Radial Pulse * Assessing Apical Pulse * Assessing Respirations * Assessing Blood Pressure by Auscultation and Doppler * Assessing Pulse Oximetry * POSITIONING AND TRANSFER * Proper Lifting * Supported Fowler Position * Supported Supine Position * Supported Prone Position * Supported Side-Lying (Lateral) Position * Supported Sims' (Semiprone) Position * Assisting a Client to Move Up in Bed * Assisting a Client to the Sitting Position * Assisting a Client to the Sitting Position on the Side of Bed * Transferring a Client from Bed to Chair * Crutch Walking * Applying Elastic Stockings * PRESSURE ULCERS * Risk Assessment and Prevention * Treatment of Pressure Ulcers * MEDICATIONS * Administering Oral Medications * Preparing an Injectable Medication from an Ampule or Vial * Mixing Two Types of Insulin * Administering Subcutaneous and Intramuscular Injections * Adding Medications to an Intravenous Fluid Catheter * Adding a Medication by Intravenous Bolus * Administering an Intravenous Medication by Intermittent Infusion Sets and Mini-infuser Pumps * Topical Skin Applications * Administering an Eye Medication * Using Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI) * Instilling Vaginal Medication * Inserting a Rectal Suppository * INFECTION CONTROL * Hand Washing * Care of a Client in Isolation * Donning a Mask * Surgical Hand Washing * Open Gloving * HYGIENE * Female Perineal Care * Male Perineal Care * Nail and Foot Care * Care of Contact Lenses * Care of Hearing Aids * Brushing and Flossing of Teeth of Dependent Clients * Mouth Care for an Unconscious Client * ELIMINATION * Female Urinary Catheterization: Indwelling and Straight * Male Urinary Catheterization: Indwelling and Straight * Applying a Condom Catheter * Continuous Bladder Irrigation * Teaching Self-Catheterization * Administering an Enema * Removing Stool Digitally * CARE OF THE SURGICAL CLIENT * Demonstrating Postoperative Exercises * Surgical Skin Preparation * NUTRITION * Insertion, Placement, and Anchoring of Nasogastric Tubes: Large-Bore * Insertion, Placement, and Anchoring of Nasogastric Tubes: Small-Bore * Nasogastric Tube Feedings: Initiating and Maintaining Nutrition * Irrigating a Nasogastric Tube: Large-Bore * Discontinuing a Nasogastric Tube: Large-Bore and Small-Bore * DRESSING AND WOUND CARE * Changing a Dry Dressing * Changing a Wet-to-Dry Dressing * Wound Irrigation * Ear Irrigation * Eye Irrigation * Applying Binders * Applying Hot Compresses * Using Hypothermia/Hyperthermia Blankets * OXYGENATION * Postural Drainage * Oropharyngeal and Nasopharyngeal Suctioning * Nasotracheal Suctioning * Tracheal Suctioning * Tracheostomy Care * Care of Chest Tubes * Applying a Nasal Cannula * Measuring Peak Expiratory Flow Rates * Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation * FLUIDS * Venipuncture * Initiating Intravenous Therapy * Initiating Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters * Regulating Intravenous Flow Rates * Changing Intravenous Solutions * Irrigating a Heparin Lock * Administering a Blood Transfusion * Appendix A: NANDA-Approved Nursing Diagnosis * Appendix B: Normal Reference Laboratory Values * Bibliography