Fundamentals Lab week 1 skills: Essential Nursing Skills and Procedures Overview

Hand Hygiene

Essential practice to prevent microorganism spread.

Interprofessional Collaboration

Teamwork among healthcare workers for patient safety.

Alcohol-based Sanitizers

Not for visibly soiled hands; use soap instead.

Natural Fingernails

Should be kept short and well-trimmed.

Hospital-acquired Infections

Infections acquired during hospital stays, often preventable.

Educational Model

Strategy to improve handwashing behavior among providers.

Assessing Cuts

Check for injuries before hand hygiene procedures.

Jewelry Removal

Remove jewelry except for plain wedding bands.

Visible Soiling

Use soap and water if hands are dirty.

Handwashing Procedure

Follow specific steps for effective hand hygiene.

Friction in Handwashing

Helps remove microorganisms during the washing process.

Drying Hands

Use a patting motion with paper towels.

Turning Off Faucet

Use a paper towel to avoid contamination.

Hand Sanitizer Application

Rub sanitizer until hands are completely dry.

Patient Education

Inform patients about hand hygiene importance.

Soap and Water Procedure

Detailed steps for washing hands effectively.

Rinsing Hands

Rinse from wrist to fingertips, fingers down.

Contamination Assessment

Rewash hands if they touch contaminated surfaces.

Paper Towel Disposal

Dispose of used towels in appropriate receptacles.

Infection Control

Practices aimed at preventing pathogen spread.

Mandatory Hand Hygiene

Required for all healthcare workers and patients.

Handwashing Duration

Wash hands for at least 20 seconds.

Hand Sanitizer Technique

Circular motion to ensure full coverage.

PPE

Equipment preventing microorganism spread during procedures.

Isolation precautions

Measures taken to prevent infection spread.

Surgical mask

Mask with ties or loops for respiratory protection.

N95 respirator

Mask filtering at least 95% airborne particles.

Isolation gown

Long-sleeved gown protecting against body fluids.

Protective eyewear

Goggles or face shield for eye protection.

Nonsterile gloves

Gloves used to protect hands from contamination.

Laundry receptacle

Container for disposing of soiled PPE.

PPE application order

Put on PPE from most contaminated to cleanest.

PPE removal

Process of taking off PPE to avoid contamination.

UAP

Unlicensed Assistive Personnel assisting with patient care.

Patient education

Informing patients about PPE usage and importance.

Contamination prevention

Strategies to avoid spreading pathogens during care.

Assessment of PPE

Evaluating PPE for damage or contamination before use.

Call light

Device for patients to request assistance from staff.

Hand hygiene

Washing hands to reduce infection risk.

Gown removal technique

Untie and pull gown off inside out.

Eyewear handling

Remove eyewear by earpieces, avoid face contact.

PPE compliance

Following PPE guidelines to ensure safety.

Documentation

Recording incidents related to PPE usage.

PPE training

Educating staff on proper PPE techniques.

Emergency PPE protocol

Steps to take if PPE becomes compromised.

Remove mask

Untie or slide loops off ears carefully.

Hand hygiene

Perform hand washing after removing PPE.

Glasses care

Clean lenses with water or solution as directed.

Hearing aids

Small devices that amplify sound, require careful handling.

Contact lens removal

Use gloves to pinch edges for soft lenses.

Hard lens removal

Separate eyelids and have patient blink to dislodge.

Sterile saline solution

Used for storing removed contact lenses safely.

Bathing purpose

Promotes hygiene, circulation, and comfort for patients.

Bathing resources

Includes bath basin, soap, towels, and warm water.

Delegation to UAP

Bathing may be assigned after patient assessment.

UAP reporting

Report sores, concerns, or incomplete bathing tasks.

Patient encouragement

Encourage patient participation during bathing procedures.

Contraindicated foot care

Do not soak feet or trim toenails when unsafe.

Documentation

Record bathing procedure according to facility policy.

Collaboration in care

Involves therapists and family in bathing assistance.

Skin breakdown prevention

Bathing helps avoid skin integrity issues.

Comfort and relaxation

Bathing enhances patient well-being and comfort.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Worn during bathing when necessary for safety.

Patient's name labeling

Label glasses and containers with patient's name.

Routine hygiene care

Bathing is essential for daily patient hygiene.

Range of motion

Bathing can assist in maintaining mobility.

Bathing techniques

Follow specific methods for patient safety and comfort.

Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)

Antiseptic effective against MRSA and VRE.

Oncology units

Specialized areas for cancer patient care.

Intensive care units

Critical care settings for severely ill patients.

Cultural beliefs

Influence patient care practices and interactions.

Same-sex caregiver

Preferred in cultures restricting opposite-sex contact.

Perineal care

Hygiene practice preventing infection and skin breakdown.

Catheter care

Maintains hygiene and prevents urinary tract infections.

Preventing infection

Key goal of perineal and catheter care.

Routine hygiene care

Regular cleaning to promote health and comfort.

Barrier creams

Protective products for skin during perineal care.

Unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)

Support staff who assist with patient care.

Patient assessment

Evaluation before delegating tasks to UAP.

Patient discomfort

Reported by UAP during care procedures.

Foot care

Hygiene practice focusing on feet health.

Hand care

Routine cleaning and maintenance of hand hygiene.

Diabetic foot care

Specialized care for patients with diabetes.

Collaboration

Working together with specialists for patient care.

Documentation

Recording patient care activities and observations.

Warm water

Used for bathing and hygiene procedures.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Gear worn to protect against infection.

Skin cleanser

Product used for cleaning skin during care.

Comfort and relaxation

Outcomes aimed for in foot and hand care.

Cultural concerns

Considerations affecting patient care practices.

Evidence-Based Practice

Using research to guide patient care decisions.

Diabetic Foot Care

Education on foot hygiene for diabetic patients.

Foot Ulcers Prevention

Choosing proper footwear to avoid foot injuries.

Therapeutic Massage

Massage technique to relieve pain and stress.

Muscle Tension Reduction

Decreases muscle tension through therapeutic massage.

Pain Relief

Therapeutic massage reduces patient pain levels.

Blood Flow Stimulation

Massage enhances circulation to the skin.

Relaxation Induction

Massage promotes relaxation and sleepiness.

Patient Education

Nurses educate patients on self-care practices.

Interprofessional Collaboration

Teamwork among health professionals for patient care.