Vital Signs for Nurses

Joyce Smith is Lecturer in Adult Nursing at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Salford. Rachel Roberts is Matron in Medicine and Elderly at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust.

• Preface viiAcknowledgements ixIntroduction xi1 Legal and Ethical Principles 1Joyce Smith2 Infection Prevention 20Rachel Roberts3 The Respiratory System 49Joyce Smith and Rachel Roberts4 The Cardiovascular System 61Joyce Smith and Rachel Roberts5 Temperature 82Rachel Roberts and Joyce Smith6 Urine Output 96Rachel Roberts7 Pain: The Fifth Vital Sign 115Rachel Roberts and Joyce Smith8 Early Warning Scoring Tools 138Joyce Smith9 Communication 156Rachel Roberts10 Nutrition 167Rachel Roberts11 Blood Glucose Monitoring 187Joyce Smith12 Record Keeping 205Joyce Smith and Rachel Roberts13 Continuing Professional Development 214Joyce Smith14 Reflective Practice 222Rachel Roberts15 Conclusion and Multiple Choice Questions 231Joyce SmithGlossary of Terms 237Answers to Practice Points and Multiple Choice Questions 245Index 263

"This is a really good book for first and second years. It is short yet comprehensive enough for students to learn all the basics behind taking obs. The explanations are clear and to the point, explaining the rationale behind each of the activities... for a new student nurse this book is pitched perfectly."; 3rd year nursing student, University of Manchester