WG1

Hello everyone, I am on placement on a surgical ward and I find myself being sent for a lot of dressings etc. Now I am only a first year (2nd placement) and I have no knowledge of dressings etc. Closest I have ever been to a dressing before is a plaster or a bandage. I was just wondering if there is anywhere I can learn about dressings etc and/or tissue viability. I am beginning to feel really dumb because I have to keep asking exactly what it is I am looking for. Thank you for any advice.

I am a first year nursing student and one of the things I have to do is write up a patient's health assessment. I (and others on my course) are a little confused as to exactly what this entails. I think it means a top to toe assessment, others think it is the yellow risk assessment form and others still think its the ADL's. Could any one offer us some advice? We have been told to utilise Maslow's Heirarchy as well. If it was a risk assessment then I cannot see where Maslow would come in to it. Any advice greatly appreciated.