fundamental nursing skills Edited by Penelope Ann Hilton SEN, SRN, RMN, DIPN (LOND), FETC, BSC (HONS), MMEDSCI, RNT Lecturer in Nursing, University of Sheffield W W H U R R P U B L I S H E R S LONDON AND PHILADELPHIA Fundamental Nursing Skills This book is dedicated to my late mother Noreen, my inspiration, motivation, confidante and best friend. A very brave and compassionate lady to the end. fundamental nursing skills Edited by Penelope Ann Hilton SEN, SRN, RMN, DIPN (LOND), FETC, BSC (HONS), MMEDSCI, RNT Lecturer in Nursing, University of Sheffield W W H U R R P U B L I S H E R S LONDON AND PHILADELPHIA © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd First published 2004 by Whurr Publishers Ltd 19b Compton Terrace London N1 2UN England and 325 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19106 USA Reprinted 2004 and 2005 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Whurr Publishers Limited. This publication is sold subject to the conditions that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed upon any subsequent purchaser. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN 1 86156 416 3 Typeset by Adrian McLaughlin, [email protected] Printed and bound in the UK by Athenæum Press Limited, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear Contents Acknowledgements xi Preface xiii Contributors xv Introduction xvii Chapter 1 Breathing Penelope Ann Hilton 1 Introduction Common terminology Assessing an individual’s ability to breathe Monitoring respiratory rate Monitoring peak flow Maintenance of an airway Monitoring expectorant Disposal of sputum/oral secretions Obtaining a sputum specimen Administration of oxygen Artificial respiration (rescue breathing) References and further reading Chapter 2 Mobilizing Samantha Athorn and Penelope Ann Hilton 20 Introduction Common terminology Assessing an individual’s ability to mobilize Moving and handling Care of an individual who is falling Care of an individual who has fallen References and further reading v vi Fundamental Nursing Skills Chapter 3 Personal cleansing and dressing Alyson Hoyles, Penelope Ann Hilton and Neal Seymour 43 Introduction Common terminology The skin Assessing an individual’s ability to cleanse and dress Making a bed or cot Changing linen on an occupied bed or cot Disposal of linen Assisting individuals with bathing Assisting individuals with oral hygiene Assisting individuals with eye care Facial shaving Hair care Assisting individuals to dress References and further reading Chapter 4 Maintaining a safe environment Julie Foster and Penelope Ann Hilton 75 Introduction Common terminology Personal safety Principles of health and safety at work Universal precautions Principles of asepsis Monitoring a client’s pulse Monitoring blood pressure Responding in the event of a cardiopulmonary arrest Administration of medicines Responding in the event of a fire Assessing an individual’s ability to maintain a safe environment References and further reading Chapter 5 Eating and drinking Catherine Waskett 128 Introduction Common terminology Assessing an individual’s nutritional status vii Contents Assessing an individual’s hydration status Assisting clients in selecting appropriate meals/fluids Monitoring nutritional status Monitoring fluid intake Assisting with eating and drinking Feeding dependent clients and clients with potential swallowing difficulties Providing first aid to a client who is choking References and further reading Chapter 6 Communicating Penelope Ann Hilton and Helen Taylor 159 Introduction Common terminology Assessing the communication needs of clients Responding to telephone calls Communicating with clients Managing violence and aggression Record keeping References and further reading Chapter 7 Dying Penelope Ann Hilton 178 Introduction Common terminology Assessing the dying client Communicating with dying clients and their relatives Signs of approaching death Confirming death Accounting for valuables Last Offices References and further reading Chapter 8 Eliminating Carol Pollard and Beverly Levy 199 Introduction Common terminology Assessing the individual’s ability to eliminate Assisting clients to use toileting facilities Applying/changing a nappy Care of an indwelling urinary catheter