Nurse Practitioner Procedures



DESCRIPTION

This is the process of building a therapeutic relationship/environment with the patient/client and family who visits the hospital. It makes the patient/client and family feel at ease to discuss his/her needs with the nurse. This action is performed by the nurse immediately he/she comes into contact with a patient/client and family.

AIMS

  1. Develop mutual trust between patient/client and the nurse
  2. Reduce anxiety
  3. Maintain the dignity of patient/client
  4. Promote effective communication

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

It is the act of describing a procedure, an action or task that will be carried out for a patient/client and or the family during the delivery of care.

AIMS

  1. Seek patient/client and family’s co-operation and consent
  2. Provide clear understanding of the action or task
  3. Allay fear and anxiety
  4. Indicate the purpose of the procedure
  5. Aid in patient/client and family’s compliance to treatment

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is the act of obtaining information from the patient/client or significant others as presenting complaints and other information concerning past and present health of patient/client and their family.

AIMS

  1. Obtain accurate medical history
  2. Make evident based diagnosis
  3. Help plan patients/client's care
  4. Help in making essential clinical decisions
  5. Allows patient/clients develop trust in the healthc are team which facilitate a good diagnosis of patient/client's condition

TYPES

  1. Comprehensive
  2. Focus

DESCRIPTION

This is a process of assessing the cardiovascular system by inspection, palpation, auscultation; checking the peripheral pulses and jugular venous pressure (JVP).

AIMS

  1. Detect normal/abnormal functioning of the cardiovascular system
  2. Determine improvement/deterioration of the cardiovascular system

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is a procedure performed on patient/client in response to respiratory symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, cough and chest pains, by inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation.

AIMS

  1. Offer significant evidence related to issues associated with the body’s ability to obtain adequate oxygen to perform daily functions
  2. Confirm patient/client’s clinical diagnosis
  3. Build a comprehensive picture of the patient’s presenting complaints and history

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This procedure which involves the use of inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation to examine the gastrointestinal tract in order to arrive at diagnosis.

AIMS

  1. For better clarification of patient/client diagnosis prior to treatment
  2. Create an in-depth plan for patient /client’s care and education

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This involves the examination of the strength, active and passive range of motion of patients as well as evaluation for warmth, tenderness and swelling of joints. The classic techniques used are inspection, palpation, and manipulation in examining the muscles, bones, and joints.

AIMS

  1. Help identify muscle strength
  2. Identify the level of functioning and screen for abnormalities
  3. Assess the severity and consequences of the condition

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is series of preliminary assessments done to evaluate visual function and eye health.

AIMS

  1. Detect anomalies of the eye
  2. Detect potential eye conditions that can cause vision loss

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

It is a process of assessing the external auditory canal to detect abnormalities of the ear. It involves inspection of the pinnae, external auditory canal and palpation of the pre and post-auricular area for lymph node enlargements.

AIMS

  1. Identify early abnormality and treat
  2. Assess the healthiness of the ear

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

It is a process of assessing the external nose and the nasal cavity to determine the general status of the nose.

AIMS

  1. Diagnosis and treatment purposes

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

It is a uniform and consistent inspection of the oral cavity for assessment of soft and hard tissues in conjunction with a thorough medical and dental history.

AIMS

  1. Provide valuable information on the overall assessment of possible oral diseases
  2. Assess the speech, smile and facial expression
  3. Evaluation of planning and complications of clinical cases in dentistry
  4. Detect early indications of systemic diseases such as Diabetes and HIV/AIDS

TYPES

  1. Discretionary oral examination
  2. Compulsory oral examination

DESCRIPTION

This is a process of systematically assessing the oral cavity down to the oropharynx with the aid of light source and tongue depressor. It is performed by inspection and palpation of the mucosa.

AIMS

  1. Detect abnormalities for treatments

TYPES

N/A

DESCRIPTION

It is the process of assessing a patient who is in a state of total unawareness of both self and external surroundings, and unable to respond meaningfully to external stimuli.

AIMS

  1. Identify the cause of unconsciousness
  2. Assess the level of consciousness
  3. Monitor the progress of the patient/client

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

Post Abortion care is an integrated service which includes maternal health delivery and family planning interventions. It is both curative and preventive to reduce morbidity and mortality incidences that threaten a mother’s life.

AIMS

  1. Prevent haemorrhage and sepsis
  2. Identify and respond to patient/client’s emotional and physical well being
  3. Prevent abortion related complications and deaths

TYPES

  1. Medical and surgical abortion

DESCRIPTION

This is a sterile procedure which involves the primary closure of skin lacerations as a result of injuries or after simple surgical procedures.

AIMS

  1. Stop bleeding and prevent further damage
  2. Inhibit infections
  3. Minimize scarring and optimize cosmetic results
  4. Promote good wound healing (first intention)

TYPES

  1. Simple interrupted suturing
  2. Simple running/continuous suturing
  3. Running locking suturing
  4. Vertical and horizontal mattress suturing
  5. Dermal buried suturing

DESCRIPTION

It is a minor surgical procedure for primary management of skin and soft tissue abscesses. It is performed by treating the area with antiseptic solution and making an incision into skin using sterile instruments to drain the pus through the incised site.

AIMS

  1. Relieve pain and facilitate healing
  2. Reduce infection
  3. Prevent further damage to other tissues

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is the process of inserting a small plastic tube (cannula) into a patient’s vein for venous access for the administration of medication, infusions, blood products, obtain sample of blood for laboratory investigations.

AIMS

  1. Replace fluids and maintain electrolyte balance
  2. Administration of blood products
  3. Deliver nutrients and nutritional supplements
  4. Administration of medications
  5. Obtain blood sample for laboratory investigations

TYPES

  1. Central line cannulation
  2. Peripheral line cannulation

PERIPHERAL LINE CANNULATION

DESCRIPTION

This is the process of providing information and assisting patient/client’s to make informed decision to enhance their health, complying to treatment adherence and improve their quality of life.

AIMS

  1. Develop patient-nurse relationship and communication
  2. Gain insight into their condition
  3. Allay fear and anxiety
  4. Present to patient/client’s treatment options available to make informed decision

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

It is a process of providing information on Diabetes Mellitus to patient/client, assisting him/her to understand the condition and the available treatment options.

AIMS

  1. Prevent complications
  2. Promote compliance to treatment
  3. Plan patient/client’s care
  4. Make informed decision on patient/client’s treatment options

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

It is a process by which patient/client and relatives are consciously guided through information on Sickle Cell disease, and assist them to impact positively on their daily lives.

AIMS

  1. Prevent complications
  2. Management of pain episodes
  3. Allay fear and anxiety of patient/client and relatives
  4. Promote adherence to treatment
  5. Make informed decision on patient/client’s treatment options

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

It is a process by which patient/client and relatives are guided through information on hypertension, assisting them to impact positively on their daily lives.

AIMS

  1. Prevent complications
  2. Enable patient/client to gain insight into his/her condition
  3. Promote patient/client compliance to treatment
  4. Make informed decision on patient/client’s treatment options

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is an education given to patient/clients and their relatives on Asthma and assisting them on management of the condition, behaviour modification and allergen avoidance.

AIMS

  1. Optimizing control of asthma symptoms
  2. Gain insight into condition
  3. Reduce risk of Asthma exacerbation
  4. Make informed decision on patient/client’s treatment options

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

It is a process by which patient/clients and relatives are educated through information on epilepsy and supporting them to make informed decision about their condition.

AIMS

  1. Gain insight into their condition
  2. Reduce recurrence of epileptic seizures
  3. Promote treatment adherence
  4. Prevent complications
  5. Make informed decision on patient/client’s treatment options

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

It is the process of guiding a patient/client through information on communicable diseases and assist them to make informed decision on their management.

AIMS

  1. Prevent transmission of the condition to others
  2. Improve quality of life and reduce disability
  3. Make informed decision on patient/client’s treatment options

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is a process of interviewing a patient/client and family to collect a comprehensive bio-psychosocial history and record systematically.

AIMS

  1. Assist to formulate management plan
  2. Establish patient/client’s and clinician’s therapeutic relationship

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is a process of evaluating patient/client’s presence and extent of mental impairment by assessing the level of cognitive ability, appearance, mood, perception, speech and thought patterns.

AIMS

  1. Provide structured way of recoding observation at a given moment
  2. Enable clear communication between professionals to understand patient/client’s presentation

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is the act of rendering care to patients who sustains injuries or lacerations from bites of animals such as parasitic insects, cats, dogs as well as humans.

AIMS

  1. Promote wound healing
  2. Prevent infections

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is the act of using high-frequency sound waves to create images of part of the pelvic organs and developing foetus.

AIMS

  1. Determine gestational age
  2. Assess fetal size and viability
  3. Determine placental position
  4. Evaluate vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy
  5. Diagnose and confirm pregnancy/multiple pregnancies
  6. Determine other abnormalities such as oligohydramnios and chromosomal anomalies

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is the process of inserting a short flexible tube through the nose or mouth to gain access into the stomach and its content.

AIMS

  1. Obtain specimens for laboratory analysis
  2. Administer medications and feedings
  3. Decompress stomach content in certain conditions such as intestinal obstruction
  4. Rest the bowels for a period of time in post abdominal surgeries

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is the process of arresting haemorrhage from the nasal cavity and structures of the nose with or without trauma.

AIMS

  1. Control nasal hemorrhage
  2. Prevent hypovolaemia
  3. Ensure a stable airway

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

Paracentesis is a procedure in which the abdominal cavity is punctured, using sterile technique to remove peritoneal fluid.

AIMS

  1. Remove fluid from the peritoneal cavity for laboratory investigations
  2. For therapeutic purposes such as removing of excess fluid in patients with ascites

TYPES

  1. N/A