Common Hospital Procedures
A comprehensive guide to the essential clinical procedures nurses perform and assist with daily. Mastering these skills is critical for patient safety, effective care delivery, and career advancement.
Core Nursing Procedures & Responsibilities
Pre-Operative Assessment
Nurse's Role
Conduct comprehensive patient evaluations before surgery to ensure readiness and safety.
Required Skills
- Vital signs monitoring
- Health history gathering
- Risk assessment
- Patient communication
Documentation
Pre-op checklist, baseline vitals, allergies, NPO status, and signed consent forms.
IV Placement & Management
Nurse's Role
Establish and maintain intravenous access for fluid, medication, or blood product administration.
Required Skills
- Venipuncture
- Aseptic technique
- Site assessment
- Troubleshooting occlusions
Documentation
Insertion site, gauge size, number of attempts, patient tolerance, and fluid type/rate.
Medication Administration
Nurse's Role
Safely prepare and administer medications via various routes (PO, IV, IM, SQ) following the 'Rights of Medication Administration'.
Required Skills
- Dosage calculation
- Pharmacology knowledge
- Patient assessment
- IV pump operation
Documentation
Medication name, dose, route, time, patient response, and any adverse reactions.
Wound Care & Dressing Changes
Nurse's Role
Assess wounds, clean sites, and apply appropriate dressings to promote healing and prevent infection.
Required Skills
- Sterile technique
- Wound assessment (staging, exudate)
- Debridement assistance
- Pain management
Documentation
Wound location, size, appearance, drainage characteristics, dressing type applied, and patient pain level.
Catheter Insertion
Nurse's Role
Insert and manage indwelling (Foley) or straight urinary catheters for drainage or measurement.
Required Skills
- Strict sterile technique
- Anatomy knowledge
- Patient positioning
- Infection prevention (CAUTI)
Documentation
Catheter size, amount and color of initial urine return, patient tolerance, and indication for insertion.
Blood Draws / Phlebotomy
Nurse's Role
Collect venous blood samples for laboratory testing and diagnostics.
Required Skills
- Vein selection
- Tourniquet application
- Order of draw
- Specimen labeling
Documentation
Date/time of draw, site used, tests sent, and any complications during the procedure.
Code Blue / Rapid Response
Nurse's Role
Respond to cardiopulmonary arrest or acute deterioration, initiating life-saving interventions.
Required Skills
- BLS/ACLS
- Chest compressions
- Defibrillator operation
- Emergency medication administration
Documentation
Time of onset, interventions performed, medications given, rhythm changes, and patient outcome.
Post-Operative Recovery
Nurse's Role
Monitor patients immediately following surgery as they recover from anesthesia.
Required Skills
- Airway management
- Neurological assessment
- Pain control
- Surgical site monitoring
Documentation
Aldrete score, vital signs trends, pain scale, intake/output, and surgical site status.
Discharge Planning
Nurse's Role
Coordinate patient transition from hospital to home or another care facility.
Required Skills
- Care coordination
- Resource allocation
- Interdisciplinary communication
- Needs assessment
Documentation
Discharge destination, follow-up appointments, equipment needs, and transportation arrangements.
Patient Education
Nurse's Role
Empower patients and families with knowledge about their condition, medications, and home care.
Required Skills
- Health literacy assessment
- Teach-back method
- Empathy
- Clear communication
Documentation
Topics taught, materials provided, who was present, and assessment of patient understanding.
Explore Nursing Career Paths
Different specialties require mastery of specific procedures. Discover which nursing specialty aligns with your clinical interests and skills.
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