Skills in Clinical Nursing

 

Unit 1    Introduction



 

Chapter 1    Foundational Skills                           

Skill 1-1   Hand Hygiene

Skill 1-2   Using Standard Precautions

Skill 1-3   Applying and Removing Personal Protective Equipment (Gloves, Gown, Mask, Eyewear

Skill 1-4   Assisting with Invasive Procedures

 

Unit 2    Health Assessment

 

Chapter 2    Vital Signs                                                                         

Skill 2-1   Assessing Body Temperature                                

Skill 2-2   Assessing Peripheral Pulses                                   

Skill 2-3   Assessing an Apical Pulse                                     

Skill 2-4   Assessing an Apical-Radial Pulse                         

Skill 2-5   Assessing Respirations                                          

Skill 2-6   Assessing Blood Pressure                                      

Skill 2-7   Assessing Oxygen Saturation (Pulse Oximeter)    

 

Chapter 3    Health Assessment                             

Skill 3-1   Assessing Appearance and Mental Status

Skill 3-2   Assessing the Skin                                                 

Skill 3-3   Assessing the Hair                                                 

Skill 3-4   Assessing the Nails                                                

Skill 3-5   Assessing the Skull and Face

Skill 3-6   Assessing the Eye Structures and Visual Acuity  

Skill 3-7   Assessing the Ears and Hearing                            

Skill 3-8   Assessing the Nose and Sinuses                            

Skill 3-9   Assessing the Mouth and Oropharynx                  

Skill 3-10   Assessing the Neck                                             

Skill 3-11   Assessing the Thorax and Lungs                         

Skill 3-12   Assessing the Heart and Central Vessels            

Skill 3-13   Assessing the Peripheral Vascular System          

Skill 3-14   Assessing the Breasts and Axillae                       

Skill 3-15   Assessing the Abdomen                                      

Skill 3-16   Assessing the Musculoskeletal System               

Skill 3-17   Assessing the Neurologic System

Skill 3-18   Assessing the Female Genitals and Inguinal AreaSkill 3-19   Assessing the Male Genitals and Inguinal Area

Skill 3-20   Assessing the AnusSkill 3-21   Assessing Intake and Output 

 

Chapter 4    Diagnostic Testing                                                                 

Skill 4-1   Obtaining a Capillary Blood Specimen and Measuring Blood Glucose   

Skill 4-2   Obtaining and Testing a Stool Specimen  

Skill 4-3   Collecting a Routine Urine Specimen                   

Skill 4-4   Collecting a Timed Urine Specimen                      

Skill 4-5   Collecting a Urine Specimen for Culture and Sensitivity by the Clean Catch Method

Skill 4-6   Performing Urine Testing Skill 4-7   Collecting A Sputum Specimen

Skill 4-8   Obtaining Nose and Throat Specimens

Skill 4-9   Obtaining a Wound Drainage Specimen

 

Unit 3    Assisting with Client Hygiene and Comfort

 

Chapter 5    Client Hygiene                                   

Skill 5-1   Bathing the Adult or Pediatric Client                   

Skill 5-2   Providing Perineal-Genital Care                            

Skill 5-3   Brushing and Flossing the Teeth                           

Skill 5-4   Providing Special Oral Care for the Unconscious or Debilitated Client

Skill 5-5   Providing Hair Care

Skill 5-6   Providing Foot Care                                              

Skill 5-7   Removing, Cleaning, and Inserting a Hearing Aid            

 

Chapter 6    Bed-Making                                                               

Skill 6-1   Changing an Unoccupied Bed                              

Skill 6-2   Changing an Occupied Bed                                              

 

Chapter 7    Infection Control                                                       

Skill 7-1    Establishing and Maintaining a Sterile Field

Skill 7-2    Applying and Removing Sterile Gloves (Open Method)             

Skill 7-3    Implementing Transmission-Based Precautions

 

Chapter 8    Heat and Cold Therapy                                             

Skill 8-1   Applying Dry Heat Measures: Hot Water Bottle, Electric Heating Pad, Aquathermia Pad, Disposable Hot Pack

Skill 8-2   Applying Dry Cold Measures: Ice Bag, Ice Collar, Ice Glove, Disposable Cold Pack

Skill 8-3   Applying Compresses and Moist Packs

 

Chapter 9    Pain Management                 

Skill 9-1   Assessing the Client in Pain

Skill 9-2   Managing Pain with a PCA Pump

Skill 9-3   Managing a TENS Unit

Skill 9-4   Providing a Back Massage

Skill 9-5   Teaching Progressive Relaxation

Skill 9-6   Assisting with Guided Imagery

 

Unit 4    Mobility and Safety            

 

Chapter 10 Positioning the Client                                                                 

Skill 10-1   Supporting the Client’s Position in Bed

Skill 10-2   Moving a Client Up in Bed         

Skill 10-3   Turning a Client to a Lateral or Prone Position in Bed

Skill 10-4   Logrolling a Client

Skill 10-5   Assisting the Client to Sit on the Side of the Bed (Dangling)

Skill 10-6   Transferring between Bed and Chair

Skill 10-7   Transferring between Bed and Stretcher

Skill 10-8   Using a Hydraulic Lift

 

Chapter 11      Mobilizing the Client                                                                         

Skill 11-1   Assisting the Client in Use of a Wheelchair                        

Skill 11-2   Assisting the Client to Ambulate                        

Skill 11-3   Assisting the Client to Use a Cane

Skill 11-4   Assisting the Client to Use Crutches

Skill 11-5   Assisting the Client to Use a Walker                  

 

Chapter 12      Fall Prevention and Restraints                                   

Skill 12-1   Using a Bed or Chair Exit Safety Monitoring Device

Skill 12-2   Applying Restraints                                             

Skill 12-3   Implementing Seizure Precautions                      

 

Chapter 13 Maintaining Joint Mobility                                                                                              

Skill 13-1   Performing Passive Range of Motion Exercises                         

Skill 13-2   Using a Continuous Passive Motion Device       

 

Unit 5    Medication Administration

 

Chapter 14    Drug Calculations

 

Chapter 15    Administering Oral and Enteral Medications            

Skill 15-1    Administering Oral Medications

Skill 15-2    Administering Medications by Enteral Tube

 

Chapter 16    Administering Topical Medications                           

Skill 16-1     Applying Dermatologic Medications                

Skill 16-2     Administering Ophthalmic Medications           

Skill 16-3     Administering Otic Medications

Skill 16-4     Administering Nasal Medications

Skill 16-5     Administering Metered-Dose Inhaler Medications                  

Skill 16-6     Administering Vaginal Medications

Skill 16-7     Administering Rectal Medications                    

 

Chapter 17    Administering Parenteral Medications                      

Skill 17-1     Preparing Medications from Ampules               

Skill 17-2     Preparing Medications from Vials                     

Skill 17-3     Mixing Medications Using One Syringe

Skill 17-4     Administering an Intradermal Injection for Skin Tests

Skill 17-5     Administering a Subcutaneous Injection          

Skill 17-6     Administering an Intramuscular Injection         

Skill 17-7     Adding Medications to Intravenous Fluid Containers

Skill 17-8     Administering Intermittent Intravenous Medications Using a Secondary Set

Skill 17-9     Administering Intravenous Medications Using IV Push          

 

Chapter 18    Administering Intravenous Therapy                                                 

Skill 18-1     Performing Venipuncture

Skill 18-2     Starting an Intravenous Infusion

Skill 18-3     Using an Infusion Pump or Controller              

Skill 18-4     Maintaining Infusions

Skill 18-5     Maintaining Intermittent Infusion Devices

Skill 18-6     Discontinuing Infusion Devices                        

Skill 18-7     Administering Blood Transfusions

Skill 18-8     Managing Central Lines

Skill 18-9     Performing Central Line Dressing Changes      

Skill 18-10   Working with Implanted Vascular Access Devices

 

Unit 6    Nutrition and Elimination

 

Chapter 19    Feeding Clients                                                            

Skill 19-1   Assisting an Adult to Eat                                    

Skill 19-2   Inserting a Nasogastric Tube

Skill 19-3   Removing Nasogastric Tube                               

Skill 19-4   Administering a Tube Feeding                            

Skill 19-5   Administering a Gastrostomy or Jejunostomy Feeding

Skill 19-6   Providing Total Parenteral Nutrition

 

Chapter 20    Assisting with Urinary Elimination                           

Skill 20-1   Assisting with a Urinal

Skill 20-2   Applying an External Urinary Device                 

Skill 20-3   Performing Urinary Catheterization                    

Skill 20-4   Performing Catheter Care and Removal

Skill 20-5   Performing Bladder Irrigation                                         

Skill 20-6   Performing Urinary Ostomy Care

 

Chapter 21    Assisting with Fecal Elimination                               

Skill 21-1   Assisting with a Bedpan                                     

Skill 21-2   Administering an Enema                                     

Skill 21-3   Removing a Fecal Impaction                                                       

Skill 21-4   Changing a Bowel Diversion Ostomy Appliance                       

 

Chapter 22    Caring for Clients with Peritoneal Dialysis     

Skill 22-1   Assisting with Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Insertion

Skill 22-2   Conducting Peritoneal Dialysis Procedures

 

Unit 7    Circulatory and Ventilatory Support

 

Chapter 23    Promoting Circulation                                                

Skill 23-1   Applying Antiemboli Stockings

Skill 23-2   Applying a Sequential Compression Device

 

Chapter 24    Breathing Exercises        

Skill 24-1   Teaching Abdominal (Diaphragmatic) Breathing                       

Skill 24-2   Using an Incentive Spirometer

 

Chapter 25    Oxygen Therapy                                                        

Skill 25-1   Administering Oxygen by Cannula, Face Mask, or Face tent    

Skill 25-2   Measuring Peak Expiratory Flow

 

Chapter 26    Suctioning                                                                  

Skill 26-1   Oropharyngeal, Nasopharyngeal, and Nasotrachial Suctioning

Skill 26-2   Suctioning a Tracheostomy or Endotracheal Tube                      

 

Chapter 27    Caring for the Client with a Tracheostomy               

Skill 27-1   Providing Tracheostomy Care

Skill 27-2   Capping a Tracheostomy Tube with a Speaking Valve

 

Chapter 28     Assisting with Mechanical Ventilation

Skill 28-1   Caring for the Client on a Mechanical Ventilator

Skill 28-2   Weaning the Client from a Ventilator

 

Chapter 29    Caring for the Client with Chest Tube Drainage       

Skill 29-1   Assisting with Chest Tube Insertion

Skill 29-2   Maintaining Chest Tube Drainage

Skill 29-3   Assisting with Chest Tube Removal

 

Chapter 30    Administering Emergency Measures to the Hospitalized Client

Skill 30-1   Clearing an Obstructed Airway

Skill 30-2   Performing Rescue Breathing

Skill 30-3   Administering External Cardiac Compressions

Skill 30-4   Delivering Automated External Defibrillation    

 

Unit 8    Wounds and Injury Care

 

Chapter 31    Performing Wound and Pressure Ulcer Care             

Skill 31-1   Assessing Wounds and Pressure Ulcers              

Skill 31-2   Performing a Dry Dressing Change

Skill 31-3   Applying a Transparent Wound Barrier              

Skill 31-4   Applying a Hydrocolloid Dressing

Skill 31-5   Irrigating a Wound

Skill 31-6   Assisting with a Sitz Bath                                   

Skill 31-7   Performing a Damp-to-Damp Dressing Change

Skill 31-8   Using Alginates on Wounds                                                                   

Skill 31-9   Applying Bandages and Binders

 

Chapter 32    Orthopedic Care                                            

Skill 32-1   Providing Initial Cast Care

Skill 32-2   Providing Ongoing Cast Care

Skill 32-3   Caring for Clients in Skeletal Traction 

 

Chapter 33    Performing Perioperative Care                                   

Skill 33-1 Conducting Preoperative Teaching

Skill 33-2 Performing a Surgical Hand Antisepsis/Scrub

Skill 33-3 Applying a Sterile Gown and Sterile Gloves (Closed Method)    

Skill 33-4 Managing Gastrointestinal (GI) Suction

Skill 33-5 Cleaning a Sutured Wound and Changing a Dressing on a Wound with a Drain

Skill 33-6 Maintaining Closed Wound Drainage

Skill 33-7 Removing Sutures           

 

Chapter 34    End-of-Life Care

Skill 34-1 Meeting the Physiologic Needs of the Dying Client

Skill 34- 2 Performing Postmortem Care