Clinical Skills for Healthcare Assistants and Assistant Practitioners

Angela Whelan is a Senior Lecturer, Teaching and Learning Fellow, and Programme Lead, in the Faculty of Health and Social Care at Edge Hill University, UK. Elaine Hughes is a Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing, Deputy Programme Co-ordinator BSc(Hons), and a SOLSTICE Fellow, in the Faculty of Health at Edge Hill University, UK.

• Preface xiAcknowledgements xiiiIntroduction xvSection I: Fundamental skills1 Accountability 3Aim of this chapter 3Regulation and registration 3Healthcare assistants and assistant practitioners 4Responsibilities and accountability 5Delegation 8Related aspects and terminology 10Summary 16References 172 Communication in healthcare 19Aim of this chapter 19Why good communication is important 19Definition of communication 20Communication methods 22Strategies to improve communication 27Related aspects and terminology 27Common problems or communication barriers 29Skills for the Health Care Certificate 31Summary 31References 32Addendum 333 Psychological well-being 34Aim of this chapter 34What is meant by psychological care? 34Psychological assessment in the healthcare setting 35The importance of psychological care in the healthcare setting 37Strategies to optimise psychological well-being 41Pharmacological (drug-related) options 43Non-pharmacological options 44Therapeutic sense of self 44Common problems 45Summary 46References 474 Documentation and record keeping 49Aim of this chapter 49The importance and purpose of documentation in relation to clinical skills 49Confidentiality in records and documentation 52Types of documentation 52Legal aspects relating to documentation 53Common problems 56Related aspects and terminology 56Strategies to improve standards of record keeping 56Summary 57References 59Section II: Core clinical skills5 Pulse 63Aim of this chapter 63What is a pulse? 63Relevant anatomy and physiology 64Related aspects and terminology 66Factors affecting the pulse rate 67Terminology 68Automated devices 70Fetal heartbeat 73Documentation 75Common problems 76Summary 79References 806 Blood pressure monitoring 81Aim of this chapter 81What is blood pressure? 81Reasons for monitoring blood pressure 81Who requests the test? 81Who can take a BP reading? 82What is done with the readings/information? 82Relevant anatomy and physiology 82Related aspects and terminology 86Terminology 87Korotkoff’s sounds 88Equipment 89Sites for recording blood pressure 93Taking blood pressure 94Documentation 96Common problems 96Summary 102References 1037 Temperature 105Aim of this chapter 105What is temperature? 105Reasons for measuring temperature 105Normal limits 106Relevant anatomy and physiology 107Related aspects and terminology 107Terminology 113Taking a temperature reading 116Route 119Taking a temperature reading 119Documentation 121Common problems 124Summary 125References 1288 Pulse oximetry 130Aim of this chapter 130What is an oxygen saturation reading? 130Who can perform the test? 130Reasons for recording an oxygen saturation level 131Relevant anatomy and physiology 132Related aspects and terminology 132The mechanics of pulse oximetry 132Equipment 134Normal readings 134Using a pulse oximeter 136Documentation 137Common problems 137Summary 141References 1429 Respiratory care 143Aim of this chapter 143What is respiratory care? 143Relevant anatomy and physiology 144Upper respiratory system 144Lower respiratory system 145Recording a respiratory rate 147How to measure and record a respiratory rate accurately 151Measuring and recording a peak expiratory flow rate 151Performing suctioning 154Related aspects and terminology 156Common problems 157Summary 158References 162Addendum 163Reference 16610 Urinalysis and faecal occult blood testing 167Aim of this chapter 167Reasons for performing urinalysis and FOB tests 167Relevant anatomy and physiology 168Urinalysis testing 170Faecal occult blood testing 175Related aspects and terminology 178Common problems 178Summary 179References 183Addendum 18311 Urinary catheterisation and catheter care 185Aim of this chapter 185Urinary catheterisation 185Relevant anatomy and physiology 186Types of catheterisation 188Patient preparation for catheterisation 193Insertion technique 194Catheter care 198Sampling 199Removal of catheter 200Related aspects and terminology 208Terminology 210Common problems 210Summary 210References 21212 Venepuncture 214Aim of this chapter 214Reasons for performing venepuncture 214Relevant anatomy and physiology 214Common sites for venepuncture 215Infection 215Hand hygiene 218Aseptic (sterile) technique 219Health and safety 219Environment 220Performing the skill: requirements and technique 220Related aspects and terminology 227Common problems 229Summary 232References 23313 Blood glucose monitoring 235Aim of this chapter 235What causes diabetes? 235Reasons for performing blood glucose measurement 235Relevant anatomy and physiology 236Related aspects and terminology 237Blood glucose levels 241Hypoglycaemia 247Hyperglycaemia 248Common problems 249Summary 251References 25414 Fluid balance and intravenous maintenance 256Aim of this chapter 256Reasons for monitoring fluid balance 256Related anatomy and physiology 256Electrolytes 258Related aspects and terminology 259Fluid balance charts 261The intravenous route 263Care of the cannula 267Discontinuing an IV infusion 267Common problems 268Summary 269References 273Section III: Complex clinical skills15 Medicines 277Aim of this chapter 277The role of healthcare assistants and assistant practitioners in relation to medicine administration 277Types of medicines 278Medication prescribing and legal aspects 279Related aspects and terminology 281Common medications 286Errors in administration and adverse reactions 291Summary 292References 29216 Peripheral intravenous cannulation 294Aim of this chapter 294Reasons for cannulation 294Why perform peripheral IV cannulation 295Relevant anatomy and physiology 295How to insert and remove a peripheral IV cannula 296Environment 301Performing peripheral IV cannula: requirements and technique 301Patient education for peripheral IV cannulation 303Related aspects and terminology 308Common problems/potential complications of peripheral IV cannulation 309Summary 314References 31717 Recording a 12-lead Electrocardiograph (ECG) 319Aim of this chapter 319Relevant anatomy and physiology 320The cardiac conduction system 320Reasons for recording a 12-lead ECG 322How to perform a 12-lead ECG 323Related aspects and terminology 330Common problems and actions 331Summary 332References 335Index 337

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