Fast Facts for the Medical- Surgical Nurse: Clinical Orientation in a Nutshell

Description

Written for registered nurses in orientation, this concise, user-friendly resource provides a complete picture of all components of excellent patient care on a busy medical-surgical nursing unit. It covers assessment, key clinical skills/procedures, and documentation of care in an easily digestible, bulleted format. Time-tested guidance about new nurse orientation to professional practice includes ìproven pearls for success.î Content is current and evidence-based, and reinforces previously mastered skills in ìkey points to rememberî sections. The theme of ìthe big pictureî of patient care is a consistent thread throughout. Clinical chaptersóorganized by body system for easy reference--present common conditions seen in medical-surgical nursing and unit emergencies, along with focused assessments, lab work overview, related procedures and skills, a documentation guide, and common medications including those for pain management. Chapters also cover pre-operative and post-operative care for all conditions. Several ìmust-have sectionsî include an orientation guide describing what new nurses can expect as they embrace their new role. This section addresses co-workers and supervisors, finding a mentor, hourly rounding, HIPAA reminders, and telephone skills/customer relations. Another section is devoted to all aspects of infection control, and an appendix provides a wealth of resources and supporting information of particular value to the new nurse. Key Features: Provides concise, user-friendly, evidence-based guidance about the ìwhole pictureî of nursing on a medical-surgical or sub-acute unitPresents a unique orientation section offering ìproven pearls for successîContains focused assessment guides, skills overview, documentation tips, and medications for common medical-surgical conditions and emergenciesAddresses pre- and post-operative care and pain controlCovers important protocols regarding infection control Cover Title Page Copyright Page Contents Preface Share Fast Facts for the Medical-Surgical Nurce Part I: Overview of the Medical–Surgical Nursing Orientation 1. Orientation: Welcome to Your New Role as a Medical–Surgical Nurse “A Good Nurse Knows What She Does Not Know” Medical–Surgical Nursing Orientation Tips A Preceptor Checklist Finding a Mentor Taking Responsibility for Your Orientation 2. Patient Safety: From Preventing Adverse Drug Events to Infection Control The Partnership for Patients ADEs and How to Prevent Them The Rights of Medication Administration Medication Reconciliation High-Alert Medications Unit Safety Infection Control 3. Nursing Assessment Basics: Focused Assessment and the PQRST System Initial Assessment A Focused Assessment The PQRST System Assessment Tips for the Beginning of Your Shift Communication Among Health Care Professionals Phone Skills Part II: Common Medical–Surgical Conditions and Emergencies 4. Neurological Deficits in the Medical–Surgical Patient: Altered Mental Status Can Occur in Any Patient Neurological Assessment Background A Focused Neurological Assessment Common Neurological Disorders Seen on the Medical–Surgical Unit 5. Assessment Skills to Differentiate Signs and Symptoms of a Cardiac Event From Other Possible Conditions Cardiac Assessment Background A Focused Cardiac Assessment Common Cardiovascular Disorders Seen on the Medical–Surgical Unit 6. Common Respiratory Conditions and Emergencies Respiratory Assessment Background A Focused Respiratory Assessment Common Respiratory Disorders Seen on the Medical–Surgical Unit Methods of Oxygen Delivery 7. The Treatment of Common Gastrointestinal Conditions Gastrointestinal Assessment Background A Focused Gastrointestinal Assessment Common Gastrointestinal Conditions Seen on the Medical–Surgical Unit NGT User Hints Care of Patients with NGTs 8. Promoting Safety and Preventing Infection in Patients With Genitourinary Alterations Genitourinary Assessment Background A Focused Genitourinary Assessment Risk Factors for Genitourinary Disorders Common Genitourinary Disorders Seen on the Medical–Surgical Unit Prevention of Catheter-Associated UTI 9. Promoting Healing, Preventing Altered Skin Integrity, and Preventing Wound Infection Integumentary Assessment Background A Focused Integumentary Assessment Common Integumentary Disorders Seen on the Medical–Surgical Unit 10. Prevention and Treatment of Hip Fracture Along With Orthopedic Surgery Postoperative Care Tips Musculoskeletal Assessment Background A Focused Musculoskeletal Assessment Common Musculoskeletal Conditions Seen on the Medical–Surgical Unit 11. Commonly Seen Endocrine Disorders and Care Tips Endocrine System Assessment Background A Focused Endocrine System Assessment Common Endocrine System Conditions Seen on the Medical–Surgical Unit Part III: Must-Have Resources for the Medical–Surgical Nurse 12. Medical–Surgical Resources to Assist You in Your New Role Enteral Feeding Calculation Intravenous Calculations Fall Prevention Measurement of Edema Vital Signs Syringe Size Selection The Z-Track Method of Intramuscular Injections Reducing Use of Restraints Intravenous Solutions Pain Scales Transmission-Based Precautions Intake and Output–A Lost “Art” How to Calculate True Urine Preventing Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections Weighing Patients Bibliography Index