Help! Vital Signs

[LacyGreen]

Hey! I just started my LPN program 3 weeks ago, and we have been learning vital signs. I don't know if your school does this, but after we practice doing vital signs we do 'skill check offs' sort if like a test to see that we are competent in doing things. My skills check off for vital signs is on Monday, and I know how to do them. My question is, how do I go about the greeting the patient and all of that the 'right' way?! I don't know what to say! Any help/advice will be greatly appreciated! :)

[Mongo1]

Just walk in and say hello and introduce yourself. Eg: "Hello I'm LacyGreen. I'll be your student nurse today and I need to check your vitals."

Or something to that effect. Biggest thing in my experience (CNA, just started LPN program) is to be confident in what you are doing and stay relaxed. If you are nervous and show it, the client is usually quick to pick up on that and may be uncomfortable with you.

[SaoirseRN]

Whenever I walk into a room for the first time, I always say something similar to the above poster.

"Hello, I'm Saoirse, and I am your nurse today. I just need to check your vital signs, okay?"

In your case, identify yourself as a student who will be working with the patient today. If you are doing manual BP, no need to make more small talk because you will be focusing on that. If usin a machine, the time it takes the BP to read is a great time to ask them how they slept and how they are feeling this morning.

[Okie36]

Just remember to knock before entering, wash your hands, identify yourself, and your patient and explain what your there for :) I've seen people fail skills check off for not knocking, washing hands, and pt identifiers...

[pnkgirl25]

We learned WIPPE

W-Wash Hands

I-Introduce yourself

P-Pt identification

P-Protection (Put on gloves)

E-Explain what you are doing.

[mclennan, BSN, RN]

Ha! I learned KWIPES:

Knock

Wash hands

Introduce, identify patient, inform why you're there

Privacy for the patient (Pull curtain)

Equipment

Safety (lower the bed, bend at the knees)

[i_want_no_world]

We learned WIPPE

W-Wash Hands

I-Introduce yourself

P-Pt identification

P-Protection (Put on gloves)

E-Explain what you are doing.

I didn't learn this specific acronym, but I wanted to emphasis explaining what you're doing. It's easy to get caught up in what you're doing when you nervous, but always try to make it a priority to explain everything you do as you do it so you're not just walking up, grabbing at their arm, and then have to squeeze their arm super tight with the cuff. It puts people at ease when you walk them through the steps so they know what's coming. At least this was my experience as a LTC CNA.

[BrandyGuynn, BSN, RN]

Also remember to provide privacy

~Mom (aka superwoman!)

[juniperpearl]

We do KASIEWAP

Knock

Address pt by name

States students name & title

Identified pt

Explains procedure to pt

Washes hands

Assembles equipment

Provides for pt privacy

Knock, knock

Enter room pulling privacy curtain

Hello Mrs Jones my name is Brenda Green & I'll be your LPN today. May I see your name bracelet? Thank you. I need to check your blood pressure is that okay? Great just let me wash my hands & get my equipment together & I'll get started.

Washes hands. Glove up (if required for procedure)

Perform procedure

Dispose of gloves without contaminating self

Washes hands

Provides pt safety (bed rails locked, brake on, bed lowest position, call light within reach)

Washes hands

Report & record

[juniperpearl]

Wait why hasn't your teacher gone over this?

[mshiforenko93]

always identify yourself and why your there and identify your patient. I've had teachers fail people for not identifying.