Skills in Clinical Nursing

Unit 1 Introduction





Chapter 1 Foundational Skills

Skill 1-1 Hand Hygiene

Skill 1-2 Using Standard Precautions

Skill 1-3 Applying and Removing Personal Protective Equipment (Gloves, Gown, Mask, Eyewear

Skill 1-4 Assisting with Invasive Procedures



Unit 2 Health Assessment



Chapter 2 Vital Signs

Skill 2-1 Assessing Body Temperature

Skill 2-2 Assessing Peripheral Pulses

Skill 2-3 Assessing an Apical Pulse

Skill 2-4 Assessing an Apical-Radial Pulse

Skill 2-5 Assessing Respirations

Skill 2-6 Assessing Blood Pressure

Skill 2-7 Assessing Oxygen Saturation (Pulse Oximeter)



Chapter 3 Health Assessment

Skill 3-1 Assessing Appearance and Mental Status

Skill 3-2 Assessing the Skin

Skill 3-3 Assessing the Hair

Skill 3-4 Assessing the Nails

Skill 3-5 Assessing the Skull and Face

Skill 3-6 Assessing the Eye Structures and Visual Acuity

Skill 3-7 Assessing the Ears and Hearing

Skill 3-8 Assessing the Nose and Sinuses

Skill 3-9 Assessing the Mouth and Oropharynx

Skill 3-10 Assessing the Neck

Skill 3-11 Assessing the Thorax and Lungs

Skill 3-12 Assessing the Heart and Central Vessels

Skill 3-13 Assessing the Peripheral Vascular System

Skill 3-14 Assessing the Breasts and Axillae

Skill 3-15 Assessing the Abdomen

Skill 3-16 Assessing the Musculoskeletal System

Skill 3-17 Assessing the Neurologic System

Skill 3-18 Assessing the Female Genitals and Inguinal AreaSkill 3-19 Assessing the Male Genitals and Inguinal Area

Skill 3-20 Assessing the AnusSkill 3-21 Assessing Intake and Output



Chapter 4 Diagnostic Testing

Skill 4-1 Obtaining a Capillary Blood Specimen and Measuring Blood Glucose

Skill 4-2 Obtaining and Testing a Stool Specimen

Skill 4-3 Collecting a Routine Urine Specimen

Skill 4-4 Collecting a Timed Urine Specimen

Skill 4-5 Collecting a Urine Specimen for Culture and Sensitivity by the Clean Catch Method

Skill 4-6 Performing Urine Testing Skill 4-7 Collecting A Sputum Specimen

Skill 4-8 Obtaining Nose and Throat Specimens

Skill 4-9 Obtaining a Wound Drainage Specimen



Unit 3 Assisting with Client Hygiene and Comfort



Chapter 5 Client Hygiene

Skill 5-1 Bathing the Adult or Pediatric Client

Skill 5-2 Providing Perineal-Genital Care

Skill 5-3 Brushing and Flossing the Teeth

Skill 5-4 Providing Special Oral Care for the Unconscious or Debilitated Client

Skill 5-5 Providing Hair Care

Skill 5-6 Providing Foot Care

Skill 5-7 Removing, Cleaning, and Inserting a Hearing Aid



Chapter 6 Bed-Making

Skill 6-1 Changing an Unoccupied Bed

Skill 6-2 Changing an Occupied Bed



Chapter 7 Infection Control

Skill 7-1 Establishing and Maintaining a Sterile Field

Skill 7-2 Applying and Removing Sterile Gloves (Open Method)

Skill 7-3 Implementing Transmission-Based Precautions



Chapter 8 Heat and Cold Therapy

Skill 8-1 Applying Dry Heat Measures: Hot Water Bottle, Electric Heating Pad, Aquathermia Pad, Disposable Hot Pack

Skill 8-2 Applying Dry Cold Measures: Ice Bag, Ice Collar, Ice Glove, Disposable Cold Pack

Skill 8-3 Applying Compresses and Moist Packs



Chapter 9 Pain Management

Skill 9-1 Assessing the Client in Pain

Skill 9-2 Managing Pain with a PCA Pump

Skill 9-3 Managing a TENS Unit

Skill 9-4 Providing a Back Massage

Skill 9-5 Teaching Progressive Relaxation

Skill 9-6 Assisting with Guided Imagery



Unit 4 Mobility and Safety



Chapter 10 Positioning the Client

Skill 10-1 Supporting the Client's Position in Bed

Skill 10-2 Moving a Client Up in Bed

Skill 10-3 Turning a Client to a Lateral or Prone Position in Bed

Skill 10-4 Logrolling a Client

Skill 10-5 Assisting the Client to Sit on the Side of the Bed (Dangling)

Skill 10-6 Transferring between Bed and Chair

Skill 10-7 Transferring between Bed and Stretcher

Skill 10-8 Using a Hydraulic Lift



Chapter 11 Mobilizing the Client

Skill 11-1 Assisting the Client in Use of a Wheelchair

Skill 11-2 Assisting the Client to Ambulate

Skill 11-3 Assisting the Client to Use a Cane

Skill 11-4 Assisting the Client to Use Crutches

Skill 11-5 Assisting the Client to Use a Walker



Chapter 12 Fall Prevention and Restraints

Skill 12-1 Using a Bed or Chair Exit Safety Monitoring Device

Skill 12-2 Applying Restraints

Skill 12-3 Implementing Seizure Precautions



Chapter 13 Maintaining Joint Mobility

Skill 13-1 Performing Passive Range of Motion Exercises

Skill 13-2 Using a Continuous Passive Motion Device



Unit 5 Medication Administration



Chapter 14 Drug Calculations



Chapter 15 Administering Oral and Enteral Medications

Skill 15-1 Administering Oral Medications

Skill 15-2 Administering Medications by Enteral Tube



Chapter 16 Administering Topical Medications

Skill 16-1 Applying Dermatologic Medications

Skill 16-2 Administering Ophthalmic Medications

Skill 16-3 Administering Otic Medications

Skill 16-4 Administering Nasal Medications

Skill 16-5 Administering Metered-Dose Inhaler Medications

Skill 16-6 Administering Vaginal Medications

Skill 16-7 Administering Rectal Medications



Chapter 17 Administering Parenteral Medications

Skill 17-1 Preparing Medications from Ampules

Skill 17-2 Preparing Medications from Vials

Skill 17-3 Mixing Medications Using One Syringe

Skill 17-4 Administering an Intradermal Injection for Skin Tests

Skill 17-5 Administering a Subcutaneous Injection

Skill 17-6 Administering an Intramuscular Injection

Skill 17-7 Adding Medications to Intravenous Fluid Containers

Skill 17-8 Administering Intermittent Intravenous Medications Using a Secondary Set

Skill 17-9 Administering Intravenous Medications Using IV Push



Chapter 18 Administering Intravenous Therapy

Skill 18-1 Performing Venipuncture

Skill 18-2 Starting an Intravenous Infusion

Skill 18-3 Using an Infusion Pump or Controller

Skill 18-4 Maintaining Infusions

Skill 18-5 Maintaining Intermittent Infusion Devices

Skill 18-6 Discontinuing Infusion Devices

Skill 18-7 Administering Blood Transfusions

Skill 18-8 Managing Central Lines

Skill 18-9 Performing Central Line Dressing Changes

Skill 18-10 Working with Implanted Vascular Access Devices



Unit 6 Nutrition and Elimination



Chapter 19 Feeding Clients

Skill 19-1 Assisting an Adult to Eat

Skill 19-2 Inserting a Nasogastric Tube

Skill 19-3 Removing Nasogastric Tube

Skill 19-4 Administering a Tube Feeding

Skill 19-5 Administering a Gastrostomy or Jejunostomy Feeding

Skill 19-6 Providing Total Parenteral Nutrition



Chapter 20 Assisting with Urinary Elimination

Skill 20-1 Assisting with a Urinal

Skill 20-2 Applying an External Urinary Device

Skill 20-3 Performing Urinary Catheterization

Skill 20-4 Performing Catheter Care and Removal

Skill 20-5 Performing Bladder Irrigation

Skill 20-6 Performing Urinary Ostomy Care



Chapter 21 Assisting with Fecal Elimination

Skill 21-1 Assisting with a Bedpan

Skill 21-2 Administering an Enema

Skill 21-3 Removing a Fecal Impaction

Skill 21-4 Changing a Bowel Diversion Ostomy Appliance



Chapter 22 Caring for Clients with Peritoneal Dialysis

Skill 22-1 Assisting with Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Insertion

Skill 22-2 Conducting Peritoneal Dialysis Procedures



Unit 7 Circulatory and Ventilatory Support



Chapter 23 Promoting Circulation

Skill 23-1 Applying Antiemboli Stockings

Skill 23-2 Applying a Sequential Compression Device



Chapter 24 Breathing Exercises

Skill 24-1 Teaching Abdominal (Diaphragmatic) Breathing

Skill 24-2 Using an Incentive Spirometer



Chapter 25 Oxygen Therapy

Skill 25-1 Administering Oxygen by Cannula, Face Mask, or Face tent

Skill 25-2 Measuring Peak Expiratory Flow



Chapter 26 Suctioning

Skill 26-1 Oropharyngeal, Nasopharyngeal, and Nasotrachial Suctioning

Skill 26-2 Suctioning a Tracheostomy or Endotracheal Tube



Chapter 27 Caring for the Client with a Tracheostomy

Skill 27-1 Providing Tracheostomy Care

Skill 27-2 Capping a Tracheostomy Tube with a Speaking Valve



Chapter 28 Assisting with Mechanical Ventilation

Skill 28-1 Caring for the Client on a Mechanical Ventilator

Skill 28-2 Weaning the Client from a Ventilator



Chapter 29 Caring for the Client with Chest Tube Drainage

Skill 29-1 Assisting with Chest Tube Insertion

Skill 29-2 Maintaining Chest Tube Drainage

Skill 29-3 Assisting with Chest Tube Removal



Chapter 30 Administering Emergency Measures to the Hospitalized Client

Skill 30-1 Clearing an Obstructed Airway

Skill 30-2 Performing Rescue Breathing

Skill 30-3 Administering External Cardiac Compressions

Skill 30-4 Delivering Automated External Defibrillation



Unit 8 Wounds and Injury Care



Chapter 31 Performing Wound and Pressure Ulcer Care

Skill 31-1 Assessing Wounds and Pressure Ulcers

Skill 31-2 Performing a Dry Dressing Change

Skill 31-3 Applying a Transparent Wound Barrier

Skill 31-4 Applying a Hydrocolloid Dressing

Skill 31-5 Irrigating a Wound

Skill 31-6 Assisting with a Sitz Bath

Skill 31-7 Performing a Damp-to-Damp Dressing Change

Skill 31-8 Using Alginates on Wounds

Skill 31-9 Applying Bandages and Binders



Chapter 32 Orthopedic Care

Skill 32-1 Providing Initial Cast Care

Skill 32-2 Providing Ongoing Cast Care

Skill 32-3 Caring for Clients in Skeletal Traction



Chapter 33 Performing Perioperative Care

Skill 33-1 Conducting Preoperative Teaching

Skill 33-2 Performing a Surgical Hand Antisepsis/Scrub

Skill 33-3 Applying a Sterile Gown and Sterile Gloves (Closed Method)

Skill 33-4 Managing Gastrointestinal (GI) Suction

Skill 33-5 Cleaning a Sutured Wound and Changing a Dressing on a Wound with a Drain

Skill 33-6 Maintaining Closed Wound Drainage

Skill 33-7 Removing Sutures



Chapter 34 End-of-Life Care

Skill 34-1 Meeting the Physiologic Needs of the Dying Client

Skill 34- 2 Performing Postmortem Care