Basic Nursing Skills and Vital Signs
What you measure
Temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, pain, oxygen saturation, height, weight, and intake and output. Know adult norms: oral temperature about 97.6–99.6 degrees F, pulse 60–100 beats per minute, respirations 12–20 per minute, blood pressure around 120/80 at rest. Report anything outside the range your facility specifies.
Technique traps
- Respirations: count for a full minute while the resident believes you are still counting the pulse. Never announce it.
- Pulse: radial site in the wrist; count 30 seconds and multiply by two only when the rhythm is regular.
- Blood pressure: resident seated, arm supported at heart level, correct cuff size, no talking.
- Temperature: no hot or cold drink for 15 minutes before an oral reading; avoid the rectal route with diarrhea; axillary is least accurate. Use a probe cover.
- Weight: same scale, same time of day, similar clothing, and the units the facility uses.
Intake and output
Record everything in and out, including ice chips and gelatin. Measure urine in a graduated container and note color, clarity, and odor. Report very low output to the nurse.
Specimens
Use the correct container, label it at the bedside, and send it promptly. For a clean-catch urine specimen, the resident cleans the area and collects midstream.
Rule of thumb
Measure it, write it down immediately, and tell the nurse about abnormal values - do not wait until the end of your shift.