Nurse Key

Pain Management Considered the fifth vital sign, pain is defined as the sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. It includes not only the perception of…

Oxygen Administration A patient will need oxygen therapy when hypoxemia results from a respiratory or cardiac emergency or an increase in metabolic function. In a respiratory emergency, oxygen administration enables…

Oropharyngeal Airway Insertion and Care An oropharyngeal airway, a curved plastic device, is inserted into the mouth to the posterior pharynx to establish or maintain a patent airway. In an…

Oronasopharyngeal Suction Oronasopharyngeal suction removes secretions from the pharynx by a suction catheter inserted through the mouth or nostril. Used to maintain a patent airway, this procedure helps the patient…

Oral Drug Administration Because oral administration is usually the safest, most convenient, and least expensive method, most drugs are administered by this route. Drugs for oral administration are available in…

Oral Care Oral care, which typically involves the nurse or patient brushing and flossing the patient’s teeth and inspecting the mouth, is commonly performed in the morning, at bedtime, and…

Ommaya Reservoir Drug Infusion Also known as a subcutaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reservoir, the Ommaya reservoir allows delivery of long-term drug therapy to the CSF by way of the brain’s…

Nutritional Screening A patient’s nutritional status is evaluated by examining information from several sources, such as the patient’s medical history, physical assessment findings, and laboratory results. If the nutritional screening…

Neurologic Assessment Neurologic vital signs supplement the routine measurement of temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, and respirations by evaluating the patient’s level of consciousness (LOC), pupillary activity, and orientation to…