31-543-302Nursing Skills
Course Information
Description
This course focuses on development of evidence-based clinical skills and physical assessment across the lifespan. Content includes mathematical calculations and conversions related to clinical skills. 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
Course Competencies
  1. Apply aseptic technique
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    perform appropriate hand hygiene
    use standard and transmission-based precautions
    maintain a sterile field and equipment
    apply and remove sterile gloves
    dispose of contaminated wastes appropriately

  2. Perform clinical mathematical calculations and conversions
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    solve calculations and conversions accurately
    include appropriate units in solutions
    complete calculations in a timely manner

  3. Perform wound care
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    verify provider order
    assemble necessary supplies
    explain procedure to client
    obtain culture specimen according to designated procedure/checklist
    cleanse or irrigate wound according to designated procedure/checklist
    assess wound
    apply appropriate dressings according to providers orders
    document actions and observations

  4. Perform tracheostomy care and suctioning procedures (oral, nasal, pharyngeal, and tracheostomy)
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    maintain adequate oxygenation
    verify availability of back-up tracheostomy kit
    maintain aseptic technique
    explain procedure to client
    verify providers orders
    document actions and observations
    manage oxygen therapy
    simulate sputum specimen collection procedures
    set suction level appropriate to client age

  5. Manage enteral tubes (feeding, irrigation, suction)
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    maintain aseptic technique
    select appropriate equipment
    explain procedure to client
    verify appropriate tube placement and security
    verify provider orders
    document actions and observations

  6. Administer medications via the enteral route (oral/tube/rectal)
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    modify procedures to reflect variations across the lifespan
    verify provider orders
    verify client allergies
    verify the medication expiration date
    perform three checks using the medication administration rights
    explain medication information to client
    calculate correct medication dose prior to administration
    perform assessments related to medication administration
    document actions and observations

  7. Administer medications via the parenteral routes (Intradermal/Subcutaneous/Intramuscular)
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    maintain aseptic technique
    modify procedures to reflect variations across the lifespan
    verify provider orders
    verify client allergies
    verify the medication expiration date
    perform three checks using the medication administration rights
    explain medication information to client
    select appropriate equipment
    calculate correct medication dose prior to administration
    Identify appropriate anatomical landmark or site for administration
    perform assessments related to medication administration
    document actions and observations

  8. Administer medications via topical, transdermal, eye, ear, inhalation, and vaginal routes
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    maintain aseptic technique
    modify procedures to reflect variations across the lifespan
    verify provider orders
    verify client allergies
    verify the medication expiration date
    perform three checks using the medication administration rights
    explain medication information to client
    calculate correct medication dose prior to administration
    perform assessments related to medication administration
    document actions and observations

  9. Manage intravenous therapy
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    modify procedures to reflect variations across the lifespan
    verify provider orders
    verify client allergies
    verify the medication expiration date
    perform three checks using the medication administration rights
    explain medication information to client
    calculate correct medication dose prior to administration
    perform assessments related to medication administration
    document actions and observations

  10. Facilitate alternative methods of elimination (urinary and bowel)
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    verify provider orders
    modify assessments techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    maintain aseptic technique
    select appropriate equipment for enema, ostomy care, specimen collection, and catheterization
    explain procedure to client
    perform intervention according to designated procedure/checklist
    document actions and observations

  11. Obtain a health history
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    modify assessment technique to reflect variations across the lifespan
    modify assessment techniques to reflect ethnic and cultural variations
    identify client by two means
    establish a therapeutic nurse-client relationship
    collect data using a designated format
    document actions and observations

  12. Perform a general survey assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    modify assessment techniques to reflect ethnic and cultural variations
    maintain privacy
    assess vital signs
    measure height and weight
    assess general mobility and gait
    assess behavior and responses
    assess communication and speech
    assess nutritional and fluid status
    document actions and observations

  13. Perform an integumentary assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    modify assessment techniques to reflect ethnic and cultural variations
    follow standard precautions
    provide privacy
    assess the skin, hair, and nails
    document actions and observations

  14. Perform a musculoskeletal assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    modify assessment techniques to reflect ethnic and cultural variations
    follow standard precautions
    provide privacy
    assess body alignment
    assess strength, symmetry, and general form of muscles
    assess range of motion
    assess joints for change in temperature, pain, and swelling
    document actions and observations

  15. Perform a head/neck assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    modify assessment techniques to reflect ethnic and cultural variations
    follow standard precautions
    provide privacy
    assess the skull, face, and neck
    assess nose and oral cavity
    palpate lymph nodes of head and neck
    assess eyes
    assess ears
    document actions and observations

  16. Perform a basic neurological assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    modify assessment techniques to reflect ethnic and cultural variations
    follow standard precautions
    provide privacy
    assess cranial nerves
    assess mental status
    assess level of consciousness
    assess reflexes
    assess symmetry of sensory and motor function
    document actions and observations

  17. Perform a basic respiratory assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    modify assessment techniques to reflect ethnic and cultural variations
    follow standard precautions
    provide privacy
    assess chest and respiratory status
    identify adventitious and normal breath sounds
    simulate sputum specimen collection procedures
    document actions and observations

  18. Perform a basic cardiovascular assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    modify assessment techniques to reflect ethnic and cultural variations
    follow standard precautions
    maintain privacy
    assess peripheral pulses for rate, regularity, strength, and symmetry
    assess apical pulse
    assess skin perfusion (color, temperature, and sensation)
    assess capillary refill time
    auscultate heart sounds
    identify S1 and S2 heart sounds
    describe abnormal heart sounds
    document actions and observations

  19. Perform an abdominal assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespan
    modify assessment techniques to reflect ethnic and cultural variations
    follow standard precautions
    provide privacy
    assess the abdomen
    assess bowel sounds
    document actions and observations