Vital Signs for Nurses

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.

Preface vii

Acknowledgements ix

Introduction xi

1 Legal and Ethical Principles 1
Joyce Smith

2 Infection Prevention 20
Rachel Roberts

3 The Respiratory System 49
Joyce Smith and Rachel Roberts

4 The Cardiovascular System 61
Joyce Smith and Rachel Roberts

5 Temperature 82
Rachel Roberts and Joyce Smith

6 Urine Output 96
Rachel Roberts

7 Pain: The Fifth Vital Sign 115
Rachel Roberts and Joyce Smith

8 Early Warning Scoring Tools 138
Joyce Smith

9 Communication 156
Rachel Roberts

10 Nutrition 167
Rachel Roberts

11 Blood Glucose Monitoring 187
Joyce Smith

12 Record Keeping 205
Joyce Smith and Rachel Roberts

13 Continuing Professional Development 214
Joyce Smith

14 Reflective Practice 222
Rachel Roberts

15 Conclusion and Multiple Choice Questions 231
Joyce Smith

Glossary of Terms 237

Answers to Practice Points and Multiple Choice Questions 245

Index 263

"This is a really good book for first and second years. It is short yet comprehensive enough for students to learn all the basics behind taking obs. The explanations are clear and to the point, explaining the rationale behind each of the activities... for a new student nurse this book is pitched perfectly."; 3rd year nursing student, University of Manchester Joyce Smith is Lecturer in Adult Nursing at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Salford.

Rachel Roberts is Matron in Medicine and Elderly at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust.

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.