31543102Nursing Skills
Course Information
Description
This course focuses on development of clinical skills and physical assessment across the lifespan. Content includes mathematic calculations and conversions related to clinical skills, blood pressure assessment, aseptic technique, wound care, oxygen administration, tracheostomy care, suctioning, management of enteral tubes, basic medication administration, glucose testing, enemas, ostomy care, and catheterization. In addition the course includes techniques related to obtaining a health history and basic physical assessment skills using a body systems approach.
Total Credits
3
Prior Learning Assessment
  • Experiential-Skill Demonstration

Course Competencies
  1. Use aseptic technique
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you wash your hands at appropriate times
    you use standard precautions
    you use category specific precautions
    you maintain a sterile field and equipment
    you apply sterile gloves
    you dispose of contaminated wastes appropriately

  2. Perform mathematic calculation related to clinical practice
    Assessment Strategies
    by calculating mathematical problems
    Criteria
    calculations include the use of decimals, fractions, percentages, ratios and/or proportions
    solutions convert between the metric, household and apothecary systems
    calculation is accurate
    solutions include appropriate units
    solutions satisfy all essential conditions of the problem
    calculations are completed efficiently
    solutions show evidence of reflection and checking work

  3. Provide wound care
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you use aseptic technique
    you verify medical order
    you assemble necessary supplies
    you explain procedure to client
    you obtain culture specimen according to designated procedure/checklist
    you cleanse or irrigate wound according to designated procedure/checklist
    you assess tissue condition and drainage
    you apply a variety of dressings according to designated procedure/checklist
    you adapt procedure to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you recognize and report significant deviations in wounds
    you document actions and observations

  4. Measure blood pressure
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory with a volunteer or a simulator
    Criteria
    you gather equipment
    you select appropriately sized cuff
    you prepare client for procedure
    you determine blood pressure reading using American Heart Association standards
    you obtain a reading accurate within 4 pts +/- of the evaluator
    you adapt procedure to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you document BP
    you recognize and report significant deviations from BP norms

  5. Manage oxygen therapy
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you select appropriate equipment
    you verify medical orders
    you explain procedure to client
    you apply oxygen equipment according to designated procedure/checklist
    you set flow rate using fixed and portable equipment
    you survey the environment for potential safety hazards
    you assess client status using pulse oximeter
    you assess client's response to oxygen therapy
    you institute actions to improve oxygenation (IS, cough/deep breath, peak flow meters, positioning, percussion)
    you adapt procedures to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you document actions and observations
    you recognize and report significant deviations from norms

  6. Perform tracheostomy care and suctioning procedures (oral, nasal, pharyngeal, and tracheostomy)
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you maintain adequate oxygenation
    you verify that there is a backup tracheostomy kit available
    you maintain aseptic technique
    you explain procedure to client
    you follow designated procedure/checklist
    you adapt procedure to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you document actions and observations
    you recognize and report significant deviations from norms

  7. Demonstrate specimen collection procedures
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you maintain standard precautions
    you select appropriate equipment
    you explain procedure to client
    you follow specific directions for equipment according to designated procedure/checklist
    you modify procedure to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you document actions and observations
    you recognize and report significant deviations from norms

  8. Maintain enteral tubes (feeding, irrigation, suction)
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you maintain aseptic technique
    you select appropriate equipment
    you explain procedure to client
    you determine appropriate placement
    you implement measure to prevent displacement of tube
    you follow medical orders and designated procedures/checklists: feedings/irrigation/suction
    you modify procedures to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you document actions and observations
    you recognize and report significant deviations from norms

  9. Administer medications via the enteral route (oral/tube/rectal)
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you follow aseptic technique
    you verify medical orders
    you identify the client
    you check for client allergies
    you verify the correct drug including expiration date
    you verify the correct route
    you verify the correct time
    you verify the correct dose
    you verify all information three times
    you explain to client
    you follow designated procedures/checklists: oral/tube/rectal
    you modify procedure to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you document actions and observations
    you calculate correct amount to administer

  10. Administer medications via the parenteral routes (Intradermal/Subcuteanous/Intramuscular)
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you maintain aseptic technique
    you verify medical orders
    you follow the five rights
    you select appropriate equipment
    you calculate correct amount to administer
    you select site using correct anatomical landmarks
    you administer medication using designated procedures/checklists: intradermal/subcutaneous/intramuscular
    you modify procedure to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you document actions and observations

  11. Administer medications via topical, transdermal, eye, ear, inhalation, and vaginal routes
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you maintain aseptic technique
    you verify medical orders
    you follow the five rights
    you select appropriate equipment
    you calculate correct amount to administer
    you select appropriate site
    you administer medication according to designated procedure/checklist
    you modify procedure to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you document actions and observations
    you recognize and report significant deviations from norms

  12. Manage intravenous therapy
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation
    Criteria
    you follow aseptic technique
    you verify medical orders
    you perform the five rights
    you perform the three checks
    you establish designated flow rate
    you spike IV bag and prime tubing
    you change tubing
    you prepare and hang secondary IVPB
    you change IV site dressing
    you inspect IV site for deviations from normal
    you discontinue short term peripheral IV
    you document actions and observations
    you modify the procedure to reflect variations across the lifespan

  13. Facilitate alternative methods of elimination (urinary and bowel)
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you maintain aseptic technique
    you verify physician's orders
    you select appropriate equipment for enema, ostomy care, specimen collection, and catherization
    you explain procedure to client
    you perform intervention according to designated procedure/checklist
    you modify assessments techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you document actions and observations
    you recognize and report significant deviations from norms

  14. Obtain a health history
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you establish nurse-client relationship
    you use effective verbal and non-verbal communication techniques
    you provide privacy
    you collect data using a designated format
    you modify assessment technique to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you modify assessment techniques to reflect ethic and cultural variations
    you document actions and observations
    you recognize and report significant deviations from norms

  15. Perform a general survey assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you maintain asepsis
    you maintain privacy
    you measure height and weight
    you assess vital signs
    you assess general mobility
    you assess appropriateness of behavior/responses
    you assess ability to communicate
    you assess basic nutritional status
    you assess basic fluid status
    you modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you modify assessment techniques to reflect ethnic and cultural variations
    you document actions and observations
    you recognize and report significant deviations from norms

  16. Perform an integumentary assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you maintain aseptic technique
    you provide privacy
    you assess the skin, hair and nails using a designated format
    you modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you modify assessment techniques to reflect ethnic and cultural variations
    you document actions and observations
    you recognize and report significant deviations from norms

  17. Perform a musculoskeletal assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you maintain privacy
    you assess body alignment according to a designated format
    you assess contour, size and strength of muscles according to a designated format
    you assess range of motion according to a designated format
    you palpate joints for change in temperature, pain and swelling
    you modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you recognize and report significant deviations from norms
    you document actions and observations

  18. Perform a head/neck assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you assess the skull, face and neck using designated format
    you assess nose and oral cavity using a designated format
    you palpate lymph nodes of head and neck
    you modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you recognize and report significant deviations from norms
    you document actions and observations

  19. Perform a basic eye/ear assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you inspect the eyes using a designated format
    you measure visual acuity using a Snellen chart
    you evaluate extraocular motion
    you inspect the external ear and canal using a designated format
    you evaluate hearing acuity
    you modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you document actions and observation
    you recognize and report significant deviations from norms

  20. Perform a basic neurological assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you provide privacy
    you assess cranial nerves using a designated format
    you assess cognition using a designated format
    you assess level of consciousness using a designated format
    you assess reflexes using a designated format
    you assess symmetry of sensory and motor function using a designated format
    you modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you document actions and observations
    you recognize and report significant deviations from norms

  21. Perform a basic respiratory assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you provide privacy
    you assess chest and respiratory status using designated format
    you differentiate between normal and abnormal lung sounds
    you modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you document actions and observations
    you recognize and report deviations from norms

  22. Perform a basic cardiovascular assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you maintain privacy
    you assess apical and peripheral pulses for rate, rhythm, and amplitude
    you assess skin perfusion (color, temperature, and sensation)
    you assess capillary refill time
    you auscultate heart sounds
    you identify S1 and S2 heart sounds
    you differentiate between normal and abnormal heart sounds
    you modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you document actions and observations
    you recognize and report significant deviations from norms

  23. Perform an abdominal assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you provide privacy
    you assess the abdomen using designated format
    you differentiate normal and abnormal bowel sounds
    you modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you document actions and observations
    you recognize and report significant deviations from norms

  24. Perform a breast/testicular assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory through a simulation or role-play
    Criteria
    you provide privacy
    you assess breasts using designated format
    you demonstrate teaching self breast exam
    you assess testicles using designated format
    you demonstrate teaching self testicular exam
    you modify assessment to reflect variations across the lifespan
    you document actions and observations
    you recognize and report significant deviations from norms