Fundamental Nursing Skills

Preface xiii

Contributors xv

Introduction xvii

Chapter 1 Breathing
Penelope Ann Hilton 1

Introduction

Common terminology

Assessing an individual’s ability to breathe

Monitoring respiratory rate

Monitoring peak flow

Maintenance of an airway

Monitoring expectorant

Disposal of sputum/oral secretions

Obtaining a sputum specimen

Administration of oxygen

Artificial respiration (rescue breathing)

References and further reading

Chapter 2 Mobilizing
Samantha Athorn and Penelope Ann Hilton 20

Introduction

Common terminology

Assessing an individual’s ability to mobilize

Moving and handling

Care of an individual who is falling

Care of an individual who has fallen

References and further reading

Chapter 3 Personal cleansing and dressing
Alyson Hoyles, Penelope Ann Hilton and Neal Seymour 43

Introduction

Common terminology

The skin

Assessing an individual’s ability to cleanse and dress

Making a bed or cot

Changing linen on an occupied bed or cot

Disposal of linen

Assisting individuals with bathing

Assisting individuals with oral hygiene

Assisting individuals with eye care

Facial shaving

Hair care

Assisting individuals to dress

References and further reading

Chapter 4 Maintaining a safe environment
Julie Foster and Penelope Ann Hilton 75

Introduction

Common terminology

Personal safety

Principles of health and safety at work

Universal precautions

Principles of asepsis

Monitoring a client’s pulse

Monitoring blood pressure

Responding in the event of a cardiopulmonary arrest

Administration of medicines

Responding in the event of a fire

Assessing an individual’s ability to maintain

a safe environment

References and further reading

Chapter 5 Eating and drinking
Catherine Waskett 128

Introduction

Common terminology

Assessing an individual’s nutritional status

Assessing an individual’s hydration status

Assisting clients in selecting appropriate meals/fluids

Monitoring nutritional status

Monitoring fluid intake

Assisting with eating and drinking

Feeding dependent clients and clients with

potential swallowing difficulties

Providing first aid to a client who is choking

References and further reading

Chapter 6 Communicating
Penelope Ann Hilton and Helen Taylor 159

Introduction

Common terminology

Assessing the communication needs of clients

Responding to telephone calls

Communicating with clients

Managing violence and aggression

Record keeping

References and further reading

Chapter 7 Dying
Penelope Ann Hilton 178

Introduction

Common terminology

Assessing the dying client

Communicating with dying clients and their relatives

Signs of approaching death

Confirming death

Accounting for valuables

Last Offices

References and further reading

Chapter 8 Eliminating
Carol Pollard and Beverly Levy 199

Introduction

Common terminology

Assessing the individual’s ability to eliminate

Assisting clients to use toileting facilities

Applying/changing a nappy

Care of an indwelling urinary catheter

Monitoring urinary output

Monitoring bowel actions

Monitoring vomitus

References and further reading

Chapter 9 Maintaining body temperature
Sheila Lees and Penelope Ann Hilton 225

Introduction

Common terminology

Normal body temperature

Methods of temperature measurement

Assessing an individual’s ability to maintain body temperature

Monitoring temperature

Recording and documenting body temperature

Strategies to raise or lower body temperature

References and further reading

Chapter 10 Expressing sexuality
Penelope Ann Hilton 239

Introduction

Common terminology

Assessing an individual’s ability to express sexuality

Maintaining privacy and dignity

Assisting individuals to express sexuality

References and further reading

Chapter 11 Working and playing
Samantha Athorn and Penelope Ann Hilton 253

Introduction

Common terminology

Assessing an individual’s ability to work and play

Assisting individuals to select appropriate work activities

Assisting individuals to select appropriate recreational activities

References and further reading

Chapter 12 Sleeping
Penelope Ann Hilton 267

Introduction

Common terminology

Assessing an individual’s needs in relation to sleep and rest

Monitoring an individual’s sleep and rest patterns

Assisting individuals to achieve a balance between activity and rest

References and further reading

Appendix I Rapid reference aids
Penelope Ann Hilton 277

Introduction

NMC Code of Professional Conduct

Guide to interpreting common medical and surgical terminology

Glossary of medical and surgical terms

Common medical and nursing abbreviations

Common prescribing abbreviations

Conversion tables

Child development chart

Body mass index

Laboratory values

Calculating infusion (drip) rates

Calculating medications

Appendix II Record of achievement
Penelope Ann Hilton 306

Guidelines on the use of this record of achievement

Skills related to the activity of breathing

Skills related to the activity of mobility

Skills related to the activity of personal cleansing and dressing

Skills related to the activity of maintaining a safe environment

Skills related to the activity of eating and drinking

Skills related to the activity of communicating

Skills related to the activity of dying

Skills related to the activity of eliminating

Skills related to the activity of maintaining body temperature

Skills related to the activity of expressing sexuality

Skills related to the activity of working and playing

Skills related to the activity of sleep and rest

Additional skills

Index 315