Fundamental Nursing Skills

Penny Hilton, University of Sheffield, UK.

• Acknowledgements xi Preface xiiiContributors xvIntroduction xviiChapter 1 BreathingPenelope Ann Hilton 1IntroductionCommon terminologyAssessing an individual’s ability to breatheMonitoring respiratory rateMonitoring peak flowMaintenance of an airwayMonitoring expectorantDisposal of sputum/oral secretionsObtaining a sputum specimenAdministration of oxygenArtificial respiration (rescue breathing)References and further readingChapter 2 MobilizingSamantha Athorn and Penelope Ann Hilton 20IntroductionCommon terminologyAssessing an individual’s ability to mobilizeMoving and handlingCare of an individual who is fallingCare of an individual who has fallenReferences and further readingChapter 3 Personal cleansing and dressingAlyson Hoyles, Penelope Ann Hilton and Neal Seymour 43IntroductionCommon terminologyThe skinAssessing an individual’s ability to cleanse and dressMaking a bed or cotChanging linen on an occupied bed or cotDisposal of linenAssisting individuals with bathingAssisting individuals with oral hygieneAssisting individuals with eye careFacial shavingHair careAssisting individuals to dressReferences and further readingChapter 4 Maintaining a safe environmentJulie Foster and Penelope Ann Hilton 75IntroductionCommon terminologyPersonal safetyPrinciples of health and safety at workUniversal precautionsPrinciples of asepsisMonitoring a client’s pulseMonitoring blood pressureResponding in the event of a cardiopulmonary arrestAdministration of medicinesResponding in the event of a fireAssessing an individual’s ability to maintaina safe environmentReferences and further readingChapter 5 Eating and drinkingCatherine Waskett 128IntroductionCommon terminologyAssessing an individual’s nutritional statusAssessing an individual’s hydration statusAssisting clients in selecting appropriate meals/fluidsMonitoring nutritional statusMonitoring fluid intakeAssisting with eating and drinkingFeeding dependent clients and clients withpotential swallowing difficultiesProviding first aid to a client who is chokingReferences and further readingChapter 6 CommunicatingPenelope Ann Hilton and Helen Taylor 159IntroductionCommon terminologyAssessing the communication needs of clientsResponding to telephone callsCommunicating with clientsManaging violence and aggressionRecord keepingReferences and further readingChapter 7 DyingPenelope Ann Hilton 178IntroductionCommon terminologyAssessing the dying clientCommunicating with dying clients and their relativesSigns of approaching deathConfirming deathAccounting for valuablesLast OfficesReferences and further readingChapter 8 EliminatingCarol Pollard and Beverly Levy 199IntroductionCommon terminologyAssessing the individual’s ability to eliminateAssisting clients to use toileting facilitiesApplying/changing a nappyCare of an indwelling urinary catheterMonitoring urinary outputMonitoring bowel actionsMonitoring vomitusReferences and further readingChapter 9 Maintaining body temperatureSheila Lees and Penelope Ann Hilton 225IntroductionCommon terminologyNormal body temperatureMethods of temperature measurementAssessing an individual’s ability to maintain body temperatureMonitoring temperatureRecording and documenting body temperatureStrategies to raise or lower body temperatureReferences and further readingChapter 10 Expressing sexualityPenelope Ann Hilton 239IntroductionCommon terminologyAssessing an individual’s ability to express sexualityMaintaining privacy and dignityAssisting individuals to express sexualityReferences and further readingChapter 11 Working and playingSamantha Athorn and Penelope Ann Hilton 253IntroductionCommon terminologyAssessing an individual’s ability to work and playAssisting individuals to select appropriate work activitiesAssisting individuals to select appropriate recreational activitiesReferences and further readingChapter 12 SleepingPenelope Ann Hilton 267IntroductionCommon terminologyAssessing an individual’s needs in relation to sleep and restMonitoring an individual’s sleep and rest patternsAssisting individuals to achieve a balance between activity and restReferences and further readingAppendix I Rapid reference aidsPenelope Ann Hilton 277IntroductionNMC Code of Professional ConductGuide to interpreting common medical and surgical terminologyGlossary of medical and surgical termsCommon medical and nursing abbreviationsCommon prescribing abbreviationsConversion tablesChild development chartBody mass indexLaboratory valuesCalculating infusion (drip) ratesCalculating medicationsAppendix II Record of achievementPenelope Ann Hilton 306Guidelines on the use of this record of achievementSkills related to the activity of breathingSkills related to the activity of mobilitySkills related to the activity of personal cleansing and dressingSkills related to the activity of maintaining a safe environmentSkills related to the activity of eating and drinkingSkills related to the activity of communicatingSkills related to the activity of dyingSkills related to the activity of eliminatingSkills related to the activity of maintaining body temperatureSkills related to the activity of expressing sexualitySkills related to the activity of working and playingSkills related to the activity of sleep and restAdditional skillsIndex 315