50 Parenteral Medication Preparation
Skill 50 Parenteral Medication Preparation Ampules and Vials Ampules contain single doses of injectable medication in a liquid form. An ampule is made of glass with a constricted, prescored neck…
83 Venipuncture
Skill 83 Venipuncture Collecting Blood Specimens and Cultures by Syringe and Vacutainer Method You are often responsible for collecting blood specimens; however, many agencies have specially trained phlebotomists who are…
69 Sterile Gloving
Skill 69 Sterile Gloving Sterile gloves help prevent the transmission of pathogens by direct and indirect contact. Nurses apply sterile gloves before performing sterile procedures such as inserting urinary catheters…
57 Postoperative Exercises
Skill 57 Postoperative Exercises Structured preoperative teaching has a positive influence on a surgical patient’s recovery (Lewis et al., 2011). You will provide information and teach skills to help patients understand…
67 Sequential Compression Device and Elastic Stockings
Skill 67 Sequential Compression Device and Elastic Stockings A patient may develop a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) for many reasons. Some common risk factors include injury to a vein from…
59 Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment
Skill 59 Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment The goal in preventing the development of pressure ulcers is early identification of an at-risk patient and the implementation of prevention strategies. The overall…
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…
