Vital Signs for Nurses : An Introduction to Clinical Observations

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. Accurate clinical observations are the key to good patient care and fundamental to nursing practice. Vital Signs for Nurses will support anyone in care delivery to enhance their skills, 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 healthcare assistants, student nurses, Trainee Assistant Practitioners and students on foundation degrees. Vital Signs for Nurses 3 Contents 7 Preface 9 Acknowledgements 11 Introduction 13 1 Legal and Ethical Principles 15 2 Infection Prevention 34 3 The Respiratory System 63 4 The Cardiovascular System 75 5 Temperature 96 6 Urine Output 110 7 Pain: The Fifth Vital Sign 129 8 Early Warning Scoring Tools 152 9 Communication 170 10 Nutrition 181 11 Blood Glucose Monitoring 201 12 Record Keeping 219 13 Continuing Professional Development 228 14 Reflective Practice 236 15 Conclusion and Multiple Choice Questions 245 Glossary of Terms 251 Answers to Practice Points and Multiple Choice Questions 259 Index 277 Legal and ethical principles Infection prevention The respiratory system The cardiovascular system Temperature Urine output Pain : the 5th vital sign Early warning scoring tools Communication Nutrition Blood glucose monitoring Record keeping Continuing professional development Reflective practice Conclusion and multiple choice questions. Accurate clinical observations are the key to good patient care and fundamental to nursing practice. 'Vital 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