75 Suture and Staple Removal
Skill 75 Suture and Staple Removal Sutures and staples are removed generally within 7 to 14 days after surgery if healing is adequate (Whitney, 2012). Retention sutures usually remain in…
77 Tracheostomy Care
Skill 77 Tracheostomy Care A tracheostomy is a 51- to 76-mm (2- to 3-inch) curved metal or plastic tube inserted into a stoma through the neck and into the trachea…
43 Nasoenteral Tube
Skill 43 Nasoenteral Tube Placement and Irrigation Tubes used specifically for feeding are composed of either silicone or polyurethane. They are softer and more flexible than nasogastric tubes used for…
37 Isolation Precautions
Skill 37 Isolation Precautions In 2007 the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published revised guidelines for isolation precautions (Box…
64 Restraint Application
Skill 64 Restraint Application A physical restraint is any manual method, physical or mechanical device, material, or equipment that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a patient to move his…
60 Pressure Ulcer Treatment
Skill 60 Pressure Ulcer Treatment The principles of managing patients with pressure ulcers include systematic support of patients, reduction or elimination of the cause of skin breakdown, and management of…
46 Oral Medications
Skill 46 Oral Medications Patients are usually able to ingest or self-administer oral medications with few problems. If oral medications are contraindicated (e.g., inability to swallow, gastric suction), take precautions…
68 Specialty Beds
Skill 68 Specialty Beds Air-Fluidized, Air-Suspension, and Rotokinetic The air-suspension bed supports a patient’s weight on air-filled cushions. A low-air-loss system minimizes pressure and reduces shear. If a patient has…
79 Urinary Catheter Care and Removal
Skill 79 Urinary Catheter Care and Removal Bacterial growth is common where the catheter enters the urethral meatus in both men and women. Perform catheter care each shift as part…
35 Intravenous Medications
Skill 35 Intravenous Medications Intermittent Infusion Sets and Mini-Infusion Pumps One method of administering intravenous (IV) medications uses small volumes (25 to 250 mL) of compatible IV fluids infused over a…
