Every Nurse Should Know These 10 Skills 👩‍⚕️ | PW Nursing College Prep #nursing #nurse #bscnursing

Summary

This video discusses the 10 essential skills every nursing officer should master to ensure effective patient care, especially in critical situations. The skills range from technical abilities like taking vital signs, performing CPR, and administering IV medications, to soft skills such as compassionate patient interaction and communication. The video emphasizes the importance of both practical and theoretical knowledge, with a focus on precision, quick decision-making, and maintaining hygiene to reduce infection risks. Mastering these skills enhances a nursing officer's capability to handle emergencies and provide quality care.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mastering vital signs measurement (temperature, pulse rate, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, SPO2, blood glucose) is essential for determining patient urgency in emergencies.
• 😀 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills, including Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS), are critical for handling critical situations like cardiac arrest.
• 😀 Proficiency in IV cannulation (inserting intravenous cannulas) is vital for fluid and medication administration, especially in critical care scenarios.
• 😀 Accurate medication administration, including both intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) injections, requires correct dosage calculation, proper hygiene, and careful technique to avoid complications.
• 😀 Quick and efficient mathematical calculations for medication dosages and fluid administration are necessary to avoid delays and errors in patient care.
• 😀 Suctioning techniques are essential for clearing airways in cases of poisoning or excessive salivation, requiring knowledge of appropriate depths and safety precautions.
• 😀 Oxygen administration through different devices (e.g., nasal prongs, CPAP, ventilators) is critical in managing patients in respiratory distress, especially in emergencies.
• 😀 Nasogastric (NG) tube and Foley catheter insertion are important skills for managing patients with feeding or urinary retention needs, requiring attention to correct technique and measurement.
• 😀 Soft skills, including patient communication, empathy, and understanding patient history, are just as vital as technical skills in providing holistic care and building trust with patients.
• 😀 Hand hygiene and sanitization are crucial for preventing infections in clinical settings, and nurses play a key role in ensuring these standards are maintained.

Q & A

Why is it essential for a nursing officer to have the skill of monitoring vital signs?

Monitoring vital signs such as temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, SpO2, and blood glucose is crucial for assessing the patient's immediate condition. It helps determine whether a patient is in an emergency state or if they can wait for treatment. These signs form the basis for triaging patients and informing doctors about their status.

What is the importance of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills for a nursing officer?

CPR skills, including Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS), are critical for handling emergency situations. A nursing officer must know how to perform chest compressions, provide positive pressure ventilation, and maintain airways. They also need to be trained for intubation or tracheostomy when necessary.

Why is IV cannulation such an important skill for a nursing officer?

IV cannulation is a key skill because it allows the administration of fluids, medications, and essential treatments to patients. In cases like shock, where fluid maintenance is crucial, a nursing officer’s ability to place an IV cannula efficiently can be life-saving.

What are the considerations when administering injections as a nursing officer?

Administering injections requires knowledge of hygiene practices and the correct technique to avoid complications such as nerve injury or infection. This includes preparing medications with sterile equipment, selecting the proper needle, and ensuring the injection is delivered in the correct muscle or vein.

Why is the ability to calculate medication dosages important for nursing officers?

The ability to calculate medication dosages accurately is vital to ensure patient safety. Quick and correct medication and fluid dose calculations prevent errors, ensuring patients receive the correct treatment. This also helps avoid delays during critical situations.

What role does suctioning play in emergency care for a nursing officer?

Suctioning is essential for clearing the airway of excessive saliva, vomit, or other obstructions, especially in cases of poisoning or respiratory distress. A nursing officer must know how to perform suctioning properly, including understanding how deep to insert the suction tube and avoiding damage to sensitive tissues.

How does oxygen administration relate to a nursing officer's responsibilities in critical care?

Oxygen administration is a crucial skill as nursing officers must be able to provide supplemental oxygen to patients using devices such as nasal prongs, CPAP, or ventilators. Understanding the different oxygen delivery systems and when to use them is essential in managing patients in critical conditions.

Why is it important for a nursing officer to know how to insert a nasogastric (NG) tube or Foley catheter?

Inserting an NG tube or Foley catheter is necessary for feeding patients who cannot ingest food orally or for collecting urine. A nursing officer must know the correct tube size, insertion depth, and handling procedures to ensure patient comfort and safety.

What soft skills are essential for a nursing officer in patient care?

Soft skills such as compassionate communication, patient history taking, and counseling are vital for building trust and understanding with patients. Nursing officers often form stronger connections with patients, allowing them to gather critical information that might not be shared with doctors.

What is the significance of hand hygiene in nursing care?

Hand hygiene is a fundamental practice to prevent the spread of infections in medical settings. Nursing officers must consistently follow proper handwashing procedures and educate others about hygiene practices to reduce infection risks, especially during invasive procedures like punctures or catheter insertions.