Clinical Skills

A Nurse's Pocket Guide

1st Edition - January 1, 2021
Author: Robin Schwarz
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 7 0 2 0 - 8 0 2 9 - 6
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 7 0 2 0 - 8 0 3 0 - 2

Clinical Skills: A Nurse’s Pocket Guide is a new easy reference intended to be carried by nurses into the clinical environment for quick access during their practice. This helpful… Read more

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Clinical Skills: A Nurse’s Pocket Guide is a new easy reference intended to be carried by nurses into the clinical environment for quick access during their practice.

This helpful resource provides quick references for a range of core as well as more complex clinical skills, including neurological assessment, ECG recording, chest auscultation, resuscitation guidelines, recognition and management of sepsis, and pain relief. It also considers fluid and electrolyte balance, wound care and key aspects of nutrition.

Written by experienced nurse practitioner Rob Schwarz, the easy to navigate text closes the gap between theory and practice, supporting nurses to build understanding and acquire new skills. It will be a much-used resource by training and qualified nurses alike.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Acknowledgements
List of Illustrations
1. The nursing and midwifery council (NMC) and the future of nursing
The NMC and this book’s purpose
Reference
2. General assessment
First-glance assessment
When called to an emergency
ABCDE assessment
First steps in the deteriorated patient
Examination
References
Further reading
3. Airway
Assessment with the look, listen and feel technique
Airway management: Next steps
The nasopharyngeal airway
Choking algorithm (Fig. 3.7)
References
4. Breathing (Respiratory assessment)
Examining the chest
Arterial blood gases (ABGs)
Oxygen therapy
The chest X-ray
References
Further reading
5. Circulation (Cardiovascular assessment)
ECG monitoring lead placement (Fig. 5.1)
ECG lead placement – chest and limb (Fig. 5.2)
The normal ECG (Fig. 5.3)
Widened QRS
A normal ECG trace (Fig. 5.7)
Common ECG examples
Heart auscultation locations (Fig. 5.19)
Heart sounds
References
Further reading
6. Disability (Neurological system)
Glasgow coma scale
Raised intracranial pressure in the context of acute pathology or trauma
Meningitis
Stroke
References
7. Exposure
The abdomen (Fig. 7.1)
Musculoskeletal assessment
References
Further reading
8. Resuscitation council algorithms for the adult
Achieving good outcomes
Cardiac arrest
Brady-/tachycardias
Anaphylaxis
References
Further reading
9. Medical emergencies
Management of acute myocardial infarct
Acute severe asthma
Gastrointestinal bleed
Hypoglycaemia
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma
Status epilepticus
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as acute presentation
Pulmonary oedema
Acute kidney injury (AKI)
Hyperkalaemia
Sepsis
References
Further reading
10. Surgical care
Safety and the who checklist (Fig. 10.1)
Preoperative care
Postoperative management
References
11. Use of non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV)
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Biphasic positive airway pressure (BiPAP)
Complications and nursing care
References
Further reading
12. Vascular access
Cannulation
Venepuncture
References
Further reading
13. Needlestick injuries
Needlestick injury is an emergency
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
References
14. Drug administration and drug calculation
Systeme international (SI)
Making a calculation
References
15. Blood test interpretation and values
Cardiac enzymes
References
Further reading
16. Mental health and mental well-being
Suicide
Delirium
Dementia
Mental capacity act 2005
Children and competency in law
References
17. Paediatric considerations
Paediatric nursing
Vital signs and normal values in children
The NICE guideline (NG143) for temperature recording in children
Resuscitation guidelines
References
18. Safeguarding
Five types of abuse
Prevention and management
References
19. Pressure area care
Assessment: Who’s at risk?
Assessment: The skin
Waterlow scoring system
Actions and intervention
References
Further reading
20. Manual handling
Good technique
To be avoided
Communication
Manual handling and the law
Tile
Manual handling – issues of management
Vulnerable staff
References
Further reading
21. Elimination
Managing an outbreak of diarrhea and vomiting
Constipation
The urinary catheter and urinary incontinence
References
Further reading
22. Infection control
Standard precautions
The spread of infection
Hospital-acquired infection
Bacteria and the spread of infection
Hand washing
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
References
Further reading
23. Care and cultural needs at the time of the patient’s death
Some general considerations
References
Further reading
Index