Vital Signs for Nurses
An Introduction to Clinical Observations
1. Edition June 2011
280 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Short Description
Accurate clinical observations are the key to good patient care and fundamental to nursing practice. Vitsl Signs for Nurses will support anyone in care delivery to enhance their skills and reflect upon their own practice and assist in their continuing professional development. This practical introductory text explores how to make assessments of heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, pain and nutrition. It also looks at issues of infection control, record keeping and legal and ethical considerations. With case studies and examples throughout, this text will be invaluable to all Health Care Assistants, student nurses, Trainee Assistant Practitioners and students on foundation degrees.
Monitoring, observing and recording the vital signs of patients is a fundamental aspect of delivering quality patient care. This practical and accessible guide will develop your underpinning knowledge and skills in both theory and practice for the adult patient found either in hospital, private sector or community settings.
A must-have for health care assistants, student nurses or newly qualified registered nurses working within any health care environment, this book explores not only how to assess and monitor patients, but also covers:
* Legal and ethical issues
* Infection prevention and control
* Pain
* Communication
* Nutrition
* Reflective practice
* Continuing professional development
This essential and practical resource also features learning objectives, case studies, a glossary of key terms, activities and multiple choice questions to assist you in your understanding of this subject.
Introduction.
Chapter 1: Respiratory Care.
Chapter 2: Heart Rate (pulse).
Chapter 3: Blood Pressure.
Chapter 4: Temperature.
Chapter 5: Urine Output.
Chapter 6: The importance of Pain Assessment/ Pain the 5th Vital Sign.
Chapter 7: Early Warning Scoring (EWS).
Chapter 8: Blood Glucose Monitoring.
Chapter 9: Nutrition.
Chapter 10. Infection Control.
Chapter 11: Record Keeping and Documentation.
Chapter 12: Legal and Ethical issues (the unqualified nurses role and responsibility).
Chapter 13: Reflective practice.
Chapter 14: Conclusion.
Glossary
Rachel Roberts is Matron in Medicine and Elderly at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust.
