Checking Vital Signs

These are very informative videos explaining how to check various vital signs. They are also extremely easy to watch. Part II also includes Apical Pulse and Apical-Radial Pulse.

Memorize Erikson’s 8 Theories of Development

Vital Signs Skills Assessment

 

 

Vital Signs are another skills assessment that we have to do in nursing school soon. The following links are to videos from ATI that explain each procedure on obtaining vital signs:

 

 

Radial Pulse

Notes 

• Normal: 60 – 100
• Bradycardia: < 60 (Can be a result of Hyperkalemia, as well as other conditions)
• Tachycardia: > 100 (Can be a result of CHF, Dehydration, etc.)
• Pulse Strength:
  • Bounding = 4 +
  • Full or Strong = 3 +
  • Normal and Expected = 2 +
  • Diminished or Barely Palpable = 1 +
  • Absent = 0

Documentation Example

• Radial pulse 72, 2 + and regular

 

Apical Pulse (Also see the other post here with an excellent video)

Notes

• S1: Tricuspid and Mitral Valves close. End of ventricular filling. Low pitched and dull sound: “Lub”
• S2: Pulmonic and Aortic Valves close. End of systolic contraction. Higher pitched and shorter sound: “Dub”

Documentation Example

• Apical pulse 72; S1, S2 clear without rubs or murmurs noted.

Male Foley Catheter Insertion

Female Foley Catheter Insertion

This is a great video explaining the female Foley catheter insertion procedure for nursing students. In addition to the following video, ATI has another video explaining the procedure:  

Female Catheter Insertion

Documentation Example for Male or Female Indwelling Catheter w/Specimen Collection

• Indwelling catheter inserted x 1 attempt using sterile technique and #16 Fr catheter. 5 mL balloon inflated with 10 mL of sterile H2O. 200 cc’s of clear, yellow urine returned upon insertion of catheter into bladder. UA C & S specimen obtained via sampling port using aseptic technique per M.D. order. Client tolerated procedure well without C/O pain or discomfort. NADN. Specimen sent to lab.

Hypodermoclysis and Subcutaneous Infusion Therapy

This is a new concept to me, as a nurse. I had heard about this about 6 months ago for the 1st time. Someone at work was talking about it. It is hard to believe that it has been around much longer than this, and I am just now getting familiar with it. I found a couple of videos on YouTube that explains how to start a Subcutaneous Infusion Therapy. This is a pretty cool thing that is available, especially for elderly patients.

Fundamentals of Nursing Clinical Skills Assessment

Nasogastric Intubation

Nasogastric Intubation is one of the skills assessments that we have to do in nursing school. I have found another video that goes through the process of inserting the tube step-by-step. You can view it by following the link below.

Nasogastric Intubation

Another really good video on NG Tube Insertion is posted below

Read below for more notes regarding Assessment, Client Education, and Documentation.

Assessing Apical Pulse