Vital Signs for Nurses: An Introduction to Clinical Observations

Preface vii

Acknowledgements ix

Introduction xi

1 Legal and Ethical Principles 1
Joyce Smith

2 Infection Prevention 20
Rachel Roberts

3 The Respiratory System 49
Joyce Smith and Rachel Roberts

4 The Cardiovascular System 61
Joyce Smith and Rachel Roberts

5 Temperature 82
Rachel Roberts and Joyce Smith

6 Urine Output 96
Rachel Roberts

7 Pain: The Fifth Vital Sign 115
Rachel Roberts and Joyce Smith

8 Early Warning Scoring Tools 138
Joyce Smith

9 Communication 156
Rachel Roberts

10 Nutrition 167
Rachel Roberts

11 Blood Glucose Monitoring 187
Joyce Smith

12 Record Keeping 205
Joyce Smith and Rachel Roberts

13 Continuing Professional Development 214
Joyce Smith

14 Reflective Practice 222
Rachel Roberts

15 Conclusion and Multiple Choice Questions 231
Joyce Smith

Glossary of Terms 237

Answers to Practice Points and Multiple Choice Questions 245

Index 263