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Basic Clinical Skills

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Administering Medications: Injections

Product code: M258C Copyright © 2010
Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Series Overview:

FDA studies show that medication errors injure about 1.3 million people in the United States each year and cause the death of 7,000. Safe medication administration is essential to nursing practice, and nurses need to have knowledge and skill in the techniques of administering all pharmaceutical agents because the nurse is the last line of defense to protect a patient against a medication error.

This 3-part basic skills series demonstrates and describes the safe administration of oral, topical, suppository, inhalant and injectable medications.

The programs in this series are:

Administering Medications: Medication Safety and Oral Medications
Administering Medications: Topical, Suppository and Inhalant Medications
Administering Medications: Injections

Overview:

This program describes the safe administration of medication by injection: subcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular and into an intravenous injection port (parenteral medication administration).

Included in this program is discussion of the mandatory use of safer needle devices to prevent needlestick injuries.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Differentiate between subcutaneous, intradermal and intramuscular injections and when each would be used
Identify the landmarks used for subcutaneous, intradermal and intramuscular injections
Describe the use of the
Z-track
injection technique
Describe the need for the use of safer needle devices

Administering Medications: Medication Safety and Oral Medications

Product code: M258A Copyright © 2010
Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Series Overview:

This 3-part basic skills series demonstrates and describes the safe administration of oral, topical, suppository, inhalant and injectable medications.

The programs in this series are:

Administering Medications: Medication Safety and Oral Medications
Administering Medications: Topical, Suppository and Inhalant Medications
Administering Medications: Injections

Overview:

This first program will describe the safe administration of oral medications and will demonstrate practices that are required in order to help prevent medication errors.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the scope of medication errors
List the "5 Rights of Medication Administration"
List additional safety practices often considered to be medication rights.
Describe safe medication administration practices that are part of the Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals

Administering Medications: Topical, Suppository and Inhalant Medications

Product code: M258B Copyright © 2010
Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Series Overview:

This 3-part basic skills series demonstrates and describes the safe administration of oral, topical, suppository, inhalant and injectable medications.

The programs in this series are:

Administering Medications: Medication Safety and Oral Medications
Administering Medications: Topical, Suppository and Inhalant Medications
Administering Medications: Injections

Overview:
This program will present techniques for the administration of topical medications, suppositories and inhalants.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Apply a topical medication
Administer a suppository medication
Administer eye and ear drops
Describe the process for administering an inhalant medication

Admission and Discharge

Product code: M037 Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Overview:

Discusses time-saving procedures and associated responsibilities.

Airway Care: Tracheostomy Care, Tube Change, and Artificial Airway Cuff Management

Overview:

Maintaining airway patency and preventing infection are two primary concerns when providing care to the patient with a tracheostomy tube. Other needs are caring for the stoma, providing some form of effective communication, and providing emotional support. With fresh new graphics and updated information, this new edition of Medcom’s classic course on tracheostomy care continues to provide a strong foundation on the essentials of direct airway care.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the function of a tracheostomy tube
Explain the procedure for cleaning and changing the inner cannula
Describe care for the stoma
Describe the procedure for changing a tracheostomy tube
Identify complications associated with over-inflation of a soft cuff
Describe the preferred procedure for maintaining adequate cuff pressure

Auscultation of Breath Sounds: Abnormal Breath Sounds

Series Overview:

Auscultation of the lungs is one of the most valuable clinical techniques for assessment of a client's pulmonary status. Listening to the sounds that are produced by breathing can reveal important and often diagnostic information about many health conditions related to respiratory function.

This series introduces the physiology and acoustic characteristics of normal breath sounds and identifies physiology components of abnormal and adventitious sounds. The functional basis of breath sounds is described, important characteristics are defined including pitch, intensity and duration. Principles of sound transmission and the significance of voice sounds to assessment findings are discussed.

Overview:

Breath sounds offer important and often diagnostic information about many health conditions related to pulmonary function. This program will cover the qualities of breath sounds, abnormal breath sounds, plus some of their associated conditions and how to document your findings. Because auscultation is a subjective assessment breath sounds are described using terminology standardized by the American Thoracic Society.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

List terms used to describe the qualities of breath sounds
Identify common causes of abnormal breath sounds
List the four main terms used by the American Thoracic Society to describe adventitious breath sounds
Describe 3 abnormal vocal sounds

Auscultation of Breath Sounds: Normal Breath Sounds

Series Overview:

Overview:

This program presents stethoscope use for lung auscultation, the physiology of normal breath sounds, selected landmarks used for auscultation and the basic procedures for a pulmonary auscultation assessment.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Identify the components of a stethoscope
Describe the anatomy of the respiratory system
Differentiate tracheal breath sounds, bronchial breath sounds, bronchovesicular breath sounds and vesicular breath sounds
Identify anterior and posterior landmarks for breath sounds

Back Talk: Ergonomic and Back Safety Program

Product code: 78809

Overview:

If your back could talk, what would it say? Whether you work as a patient care provider, office employee, ancillary, kitchen, lab or even a volunteer, it's important to protect your back on the job.

This program will discuss:

the importance of an ergonomically sound environment
utilization of lifting and moving devices
patient transfers
proper body posture and much more

Basic Clinical Skills: The Bed Bath

Overview:

The bed bath is an important part of the individualized care many patients receive while hospitalized and is one of the basic skills all nurses must know.

The bed bath not only helps keep the patient clean but also:

Maintains healthy skin by providing stimulation and increasing circulation
Provides the patient with mild exercise
Provides an opportunity for close observation of any skin condition
The time spent giving a bed bath is ideal for assessing the condition of the patient's skin, interacting with the patient and providing important emotional support.

Objectives:
After watching this program viewers should be able to:

Describe the benefits of a bed bath
Demonstrate the procedures for providing a bed bath
Demonstrate providing perineal care to males and females
Demonstrate the technique for providing a back rub
Describe after-bath grooming

Basic Clinical Skills: Urethral Catheterization

Product code: M221T Copyright © 2010
Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Updated Info:

This program has been updated to reflect practice change regarding inflation of catheter retention balloons prior to insertion of an indwelling urethral catheter. While this was once standard practice and remains common, it has become controversial and is no longer performed in many facilities.

This update of Medcom's classic basic skills program demonstrates and describes the process for performing a urethral catheterization. Both intermittent straight catheters and indwelling retention catheters are shown and discussed. The need for patient education and patient support during catheterization is emphasized. The techniques for performing catheter care and removal of a catheter are also shown and discussed.

Objectives:

Viewing this program will help the learner:

Identify straight catheters and retention catheters.
Describe the appropriate use of straight catheters and retention catheters.
Perform a urinary catheter insertion.
List infection control measures to take when inserting a urinary catheter.
Describe urinary catheter care.
Obtaining a urine specimen from a urinary catheter.
Remove a urinary catheter.
Describe information that should be documented when inserting and removing a urinary catheter.

Basic Oxygen Administration

Overivew:

An update of a classic Medcom Basic Skills program, "Basic Oxygen Administration" provides an overview of administering oxygen to patients in clinical and home settings.

It demonstrates the use of both high and low flow delivery devices including:

Nasal cannulas
Simple masks
Venturi masks
Non-rebreather masks
Oxygen concentrators

Objectives:
After viewing this program, the viewer should be able to:

Describe components used to provide oxygen to patients
Identify common high-flow delivery devices
Identify common low-flow delivery devices
Identify the signs and symptoms of hypoxia
Explain precautions to take for fire safety when oxygen is in use
Describe the preparation and process for administering oxygen to a patient
Describe the use of oxygen in the home

Bedmaking: The Right Way

Product code: M222 Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Overview:

This program demonstrates and describes the procedures for making a patient bed in a clinical setting. Making the occupied patient bed and the unoccupied patient bed are shown. Related issues regarding patient safety and comfort, infection control, and documentation are discussed.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Identify materials needed for making a patient bed.
Describe infection control precautions necessary when making a patient bed.
Demonstrate the process for safely making the occupied patient bed.
Demonstrate the process for making the unoccupied patient bed.

Body Mechanics: The Science of Moving Safely

Product code: M127R Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Overview:

Learn how to prevent injury to your body when moving patients. This program provides an understanding of the basic principles of body mechanics including the design and function of the musculoskeletal system and related gravitational forces. The application of these principles to lift and move safely is illustrated in a variety of healthcare settings.

Cardiac Auscultation: Abnormal Heart Sounds, Part 1

Series Overivew:

Cardiac auscultation provides information about the rate and rhythm of the heart, valve function and possible anatomical defects. It requires a methodical approach with careful attention to the sounds produced during the cardiac cycle. Nurses providing direct patient care need to develop the skills to recognize normal heart sounds and to differentiate these from abnormal heart sounds and murmurs.

This 2-part Basic Skills series on abnormal heart sounds provides descriptions and examples of abnormal heart murmurs allowing the learner to differentiate between normal and abnormal heart sounds.

Overview:

This program provides the learner with a thorough understanding of the characteristics and causes of abnormal heart sounds and skills to examine the most common cardiac murmurs.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Explain what causes abnormal heart sounds or heart murmurs.
Distinguish the two main valve dysfunctions: regurgitation and stenosis.
Describe the main causes of valve dysfunction.
Identify the main characteristics of murmurs, including timing, shape, location, radiation, intensity, pitch and quality.
Rate the intensity of a heart murmur on the 6-grade Levine scale.
Identify mitral regurgitation.
Identify tricuspid regurgitation.

Cardiac Auscultation: Abnormal Heart Sounds, Part 2

Series Overview:

This 2-part Basic Skills series on abnormal heart sounds provides descriptions and examples of abnormal heart murmurs allowing the learner to differentiate between normal and abnormal heart sounds.

Overview:

This program provides the learner with a thorough understanding of the characteristics and causes of abnormal heart sounds and skills to examine the most common cardiac murmurs.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Identify the characteristics and accurately assess the symptoms of:
- Ventricular Septal Defect
- Aortic Stenosis
- Pulmonary Stenosis
- Atrial Septal Defects
- Innocent Systolic Murmurs
- Murmurs of Mitral Stenosis
- Tricuspid Stenosis
- Murmurs of Aortic Regurgitation
- Murmurs of Pulmonary Regurgitation

Cardiac Auscultation: Normal Heart Sounds

Overview:

Cardiac auscultation provides information about the rate and rhythm of the heart, valve functioning and possible anatomical defects. It requires knowledge of what heart sounds are normal and a methodical approach with careful attention to the sounds produced during the cardiac cycle.

This program provides nurses and other healthcare professionals with a thorough understanding of the various normal heart sounds and examples of these sounds to provide a basis for differentiating normal and abnormal sounds.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Explain what produces the S1 sound
Identify the normal S1 sound and understand the various factors that can affect the S1 sound
Describe what produces the S2 sound
Identify the normal S2 sound and understand the various factors that can affect the S2 sound
Explain what produces the S3 and S4 sounds
Identify the normal S3 and S4 sounds and understand the various factors that can affect the S3 and S4 sounds
Describe why and how the main extra heart sounds occur
Identify various extra heart sounds

Cardiac Auscultation: The Anatomy and Physiology of Heart Sounds

Overview:

Familiarity with normal and abnormal heart sounds provides the foundation for many clinical assessments. This program focuses on cardiac auscultation, or listening to the sounds produced by the heart, a skill that can be lost without review and practice. It will review the anatomy and physiology of the heart and the sounds it produces as it works.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the anatomy and physiology of the heart
Describe the cardiac cycle
Identify the main events displayed on the electrocardiograph tracing
Break down and identify the heart sounds and explain why each sound occurs

Cardiac Auscultation: The Process of Basic Cardiac Auscultation

Overview:

This program provides nurses and other healthcare professionals with a thorough understanding of auscultation techniques and practices, including the basic process of cardiac auscultation, identifying landmarks where cardiac sounds can best be heard, proper positioning of the patient and how to record observations.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the components of the stethoscope and their individual and combined functions.
Explain and perform basic cardiac auscultation.
Identify the landmarks where cardiac auscultation can be heard.
Properly position the patient to perform cardiac auscultation.
Accurately record what you observe during cardiac auscultation.

Cleansing Enema

Product code: M236R Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Overview:

Provides instruction on patient and solution preparation and demonstrates enema administration techniques.

CPR: A Guide for Healthcare Workers

Overview:

Based on the 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR & ECC, this course provides instruction on how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to adults, children and infants and how to clear an obstructed airway in adults, children and infants. This includes explanation of the important CPR sequence change from airway, breathing, compressions (ABC), to compressions, airway, breathing (CAB). It also covers how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) to aid victims who are in distress.

Objectives:

After completing this course the learner will be able to:

Explain the urgency and importance of administering emergency cardio-respiratory care
Explain the emphasis on chest compressions when performing CPR
Demonstrate the CAB and D sequence for CPR
Demonstrate the techniques required to perform one-rescuer CPR
Demonstrate the techniques required to perform two-rescuer CPR
Describe the techniques and equipment required to use an AED
Demonstrate the techniques required to aid a conscious victim with an obstructed airway
Demonstrate the techniques required to aid an unconscious victim with an obstructed airway
Demonstrate the techniques required to perform CPR on a child and clear an airway obstruction
Demonstrate the techniques required to perform CPR on an infant and clear an airway obstruction

Documenting Care: The Charting Process

Product code: M207

Overview:

Charting, the recording and documentation of a patient's condition, treatment and response to treatment, is one of the most basic nursing skills. This program reviews the fundamental techniques used in accurate charting and discusses confidentiality issues related to charting, including the new HIPAA rules and describes some of the legal aspects of charting.

Feeding the Patient

Product code: M038 Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Overview:

Includes basic instruction on successfully preparing and assisting the patient with meals.

Fluids and Electrolytes Balance: Basics

Product code: M250A Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Overview:

The body's fluid balance is an essential and elemental component of health. Disturbances in this balance can both indicate and be caused by a variety of pathologies. Many care decisions must be based on the various fluid and electrolyte balances of the body, therefore, understanding and monitoring a patient's fluid balance, electrolyte balance and acid-base balance is critical to providing care.

This program, the first of a three part series, provides nursing students, new nurses, and others with the fundamental information they need to begin building their understanding of the role fluids and electrolytes play in the health of a body.

This program describes:

The basics of fluid balance
The basics of electrolyte balance
The main electrolytes in the body
Acid-base balance in the human body

Fluids and Electrolytes Balance: Electrolyte Imbalances

Product code: M250C Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Overview:

The second and third programs in this three-part series, "Fluids and Electrolytes Balance: Fluid Volume Imbalances" and "Fluids and Electrolytes Balance: Electrolyte Imbalances" provide nursing students, new nurses, and others with the fundamental information they need to begin building their understanding of the role fluid volume and electrolytes play in the health of a body.

This program describes:

Sodium, hyponatremia, hypernatremia
Potassium, hypokalemia, hyperkalemia
Magnesium, hypomagnesemia, hypermagnesemia
Calcium, hypocalcemia, hypercalcemia
Phosphorous, hypophosphatemia, hyperphosphatemia
Chloride, hypochloremia, hyperchloremia

Fluids and Electrolytes Balance: Fluid Volume Imbalances

Product code: M250B Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Overview:

This program describes:

The basics of dehydration
Hypovolemia
Hyperolemia
Water intoxication
General causes of volume imbalances
Interventions
Total parenteral nutrition (TNP)
Blood product infusions

Intravenous Therapy: Basics and Venipuncture

Series Overview:

Over 90% of hospital patients receive IV therapy, including medication, nutrition, electrolytes, and blood. These life-giving fluids are administered through an I.V. and can mean the difference between life and death for a patient. This series covers the basics of intravenous therapy, including its uses, venipuncture, routine care, complications, and I.V. therapy for pediatric patients. The programs in this series are:

Intravenous Therapy: Basics and Venipuncture
Intravenous Therapy: Routine Care and Discontinuation
Intravenous Therapy: Recognizing and Treating Complications
Intravenous Therapy: Pediatrics

Overview:

This program describes the basics of intravenous therapy and demonstrates the correct technique for performing a venipuncture to initiate intravenous therapy. After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the uses of I.V. therapy
Identify appropriate sites for venipuncture
Identify equipment used to provide I.V. therapy
Perform a venipuncture

Intravenous Therapy: Pediatrics

Series Overview:

Over 90% of hospital patients receive intravenous therapy, including medication, nutrition, electrolytes, and blood. These life-giving fluids are administered through an I.V. and can mean the difference between life and death for a patient. This series covers the basics of intravenous therapy, including its uses, venipuncture, routine care, complications, and I.V. therapy for pediatric patients. The programs in this series are:

Intravenous Therapy: Basics and Venipuncture
Intravenous Therapy: Routine Care and Discontinuation
Intravenous Therapy: Recognizing and Treating Complications
Intravenous Therapy: Pediatrics

Overview:

Providing intravenous therapy for infants and children offers unique challenges and may have a different rationale for the I.V. therapy than with an adult. This program demonstrates and describes I.V. therapy for pediatric patients.

Intravenous Therapy: Recognizing and Treating Complications

Series Overview:

Intravenous Therapy: Basics and Venipuncture
Intravenous Therapy: Routine Care and Discontinuation
Intravenous Therapy: Recognizing and Treating Complications
Intravenous Therapy: Pediatrics

Overview:

This program will demonstrate procedures for identifying complications of I.V. therapy and making appropriate interventions.

Intravenous Therapy: Routine Care and Discontinuation

Series Overview:

Over 90% of hospital patients receive IV therapy, including medication, nutrition, electrolytes, and blood. These life-giving fluids are administered through an I.V. and can mean the difference between life and death for a patient.This series covers the basics of intravenous therapy, including its uses, venipuncture, routine care, complications, and I.V. therapy for pediatric patients. The programs in this series are:

Intravenous Therapy: Basics and Venipuncture
Intravenous Therapy: Routine Care and Discontinuation
Intravenous Therapy: Recognizing and Treating Complications
Intravenous Therapy: Pediatrics

Overview:

This program demonstrates the procedures for the routine care and the discontinuation of intravenous therapy. After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

List items to note during a routine I.V. assessment
Describe changing a peripheral catheter dressing
Change an infusion container
Change an administration set
Describe the process and considerations for administering medications through an I.V.
Change the dressing on a central venous catheter
Describe the process for discontinuing a peripheral I.V. site

Lifting and Moving the Patient

Product code: M036 Reviewed for accuracy: 2009

Overview:

Demonstrates proper body mechanics and safety measures used in moving the patient.

Lifting Safely to Prevent Injury

Overview:

Providing care to those who are ill or frail often requires lifting and moving them. But the weight and awkwardness of the human form, often combined with tight spaces, put caregivers at risk for injury. Anyone providing direct care must understand the risks associated with lifting and moving residents and efforts they can take to reduce those risks.

This updated program on lifting safely describes the importance of mobility assistance for residents, reviews the body mechanics involved in the process of lifting safely and offers several general rules to keep in mind when you approach any lifting task. By paying attention to safe lifting techniques at all times, you can help avoid injury to yourself and to residents.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the importance of mobility assistance.
Describe the proper body mechanics for lifting a resident.
Describe assisting residents with different abilities.

Lifting Safely to Prevent Injury

Overview:

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the importance of mobility assistance.
Describe the proper body mechanics for lifting a resident.
Describe assisting residents with different abilities.

Measuring Vital Signs Part 1: Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration

Series Overview:

The measurement of vital signs - including temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and an assessment of pain - is performed routinely in every healthcare setting. Evaluations of these findings through comparison with previous measurements can indicate important changes in physical and/or emotional conditions. Measuring vital signs is a fundamental clinical skill that every nurse needs to master to provide competent patient care.

Medcom's two-part Measuring Vital Signs series has been updated to provide a fresh look at mastering these basic skills. The series explains the clinical significance of measuring these health indicators, and demonstrates the correct techniques for:

Measuring temperature
Measuring pulse rate
Measuring respiration rate
Measuring blood pressure
Making a pain assessment

Overview:

This first of two programs on measuring vital signs, demonstrates and describes the techniques used to accurately measure temperature, pulse and respiration in a patient. Measurement of temperature is demonstrated using a variety of thermometers emphasizing the use of electronic, aural (tympanic), and temporal thermometers. Techniques and sites used for measuring the pulse are shown, and assessment of the rate, depth, rhythm and quality of respiration is demonstrated.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Identify the indications for measuring temperature.
Demonstrate techniques for measuring oral, axillary, and rectal temperature.
Define pulse.
Locate five sites on the body to palpate the pulse.
Demonstrate assessment of both radial and apical pulse.
Demonstrate assessment of respiration.

Measuring Vital Signs Part 2: Blood Pressure and Pain

Series Overview:

Measuring temperature
Measuring pulse rate
Measuring respiration rate
Measuring blood pressure
Making a pain assessment

Overview:

This second of two programs on measuring vital signs demonstrates and describes the techniques used to accurately measure blood pressure and assess pain.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Explain the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure
Define the blood pressure ranges for each of the four blood pressure classifications
Demonstrate the steps in measuring blood pressure at the brachial artery
Identify 5 characteristics of pain
Identify tools used to assess pain

Nursing Assessment: The Cardiovascular System, Part 1: Anatomy and Subjective Data

Overview:

Although pumping blood throughout the body to deliver oxygen and nutrition and remove waste seems like a simple task, it involves complex processes that, if fail, can literally mean the difference between life and death for a person. For these reasons, the nurse must understand the components of the cardiovascular system and be able to skillfully collect subjective data on its condition.

This program provides a review of the anatomy of the cardiovascular system, then demonstrates and describes a step-by-step approach for collecting subjective data for use in an assessment of the cardiovascular system.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system
Explain the importance of subjective information in an assessment of the cardiovascular system
List key questions to ask when taking the patient’s history

Nursing Assessment: The Nervous System, Part 2: Objective Data

Overview:

Objective assessment of the nervous system is an extensive process involving assessment of each of the 12 cranial nerves, cerebellar function, the sensory system, reflexes and mental status. At each step, specific tests must be performed with results documented, always with an alertness for abnormal neurological findings that will require additional follow-up evaluation. Knowledge of these specific tests and the ability to identify abnormal results is an important skill for the nurse to develop.

This program demonstrates and describes a step-by-step approach for collecting objective data for use in an assessment of the nervous system.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe tests used to assess each of the 12 cranial nerves
Describe tests used to assess the motor nerves and cerebellar function
Describe tests use to provide a generalized assessment of the sensory system
List the tests used to assess reflexes
Explain the use of tests for assessing level of consciousness and when they are appropriate to use
List examples of neurological abnormalities

Nursing Assessment: Eyes, Ears, and Nose

Overview:

This program provides a review of the anatomy of the eyes, ears, and nose, then demonstrates and describes a step-by-step approach for collecting subjective and objective data for use in an assessment of these body parts. When used with the program “Nursing Assessment: Head and Neck, Mouth and Throat,” the two programs provide a foundational understanding for the assessment of these areas.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the anatomy and physiology of the components of the eyes, ears, and nose
Describe both subjective and objective data to obtain in the assessment of the eyes, ears, and nose
Describe specific abnormalities that should be observed for during an assessment of the eyes, ears, and nose
List key questions to ask when taking the patient’s history

Nursing Assessment: Head and Neck, Mouth and Throat

Overview:

This program provides a review of the anatomy of the head, neck, mouth, and throat, then demonstrates and describes a step-by-step approach for collecting subjective and objective data for use in an assessment of these body parts. When used with the program “Nursing Assessment: Eyes, Ears, and Nose,” the two programs provide a foundational understanding for the assessment of these areas.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the anatomy and physiology of the components of the head, neck, mouth, and throat
Describe both subjective and objective data to obtain in the assessment of the head and neck
Describe both subjective and objective data to obtain in the assessment of the mouth and throat
Describe specific abnormalities that should be observed for during an assessment of the head, neck, mouth, and throat
List key questions to ask when taking the patient’s history

Nursing Assessment: Head-to-Toe Assessment

Overview:

This program demonstrates and describes a step-by-step approach to an initial head-to-toe assessment that would be used for screening when providing either inpatient or outpatient care. This includes collecting both subjective and objective data of key body systems for use in an assessment. This program provides a foundational understanding of this process.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

List key questions to ask when taking the patient’s history
Describe subjective and objective data to obtain in the assessment of the head and neck
Describe subjective and objective data to obtain in the assessment of the upper extremities
Describe subjective and objective data to obtain in the assessment of the chest and abdomen
Describe subjective and objective data to obtain in the assessment of the lower extremities
Describe subjective and objective data to obtain in a brief neurological assessment

Nursing Assessment: The Cardiovascular System, Part 2: Objective Data

Overview:

Although pumping blood throughout the body to deliver oxygen and nutrition and remove waste seems like a simple task, it involves complex processes that, if fail, can literally mean the difference between life and death for a person. The nurse must be able to skillfully collect objective data on the various components of the cardiovascular system.

This program demonstrates and describes a step-by-step approach for collecting objective data for use in an assessment of the cardiovascular system.

Overview:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the process for palpation of the lymph nodes
Describe assessment of the neck vessels
Describe assessment of the peripheral pulses
Describe the process for auscultation of the carotid arteries and heart
Describe eight characteristics used to assess heart murmurs

Nursing Assessment: The Digestive System

Overview:

Gastrointestinal complaints and concerns about diet are high on the list of reasons people seek medical assistance. For this reason, it’s important for the nurse to be able to perform a skilled assessment of the digestive system.

This program provides a review of the anatomy of the digestive system, then demonstrates and describes a step-by-step approach to assessing the digestive system.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the anatomy and physiology of the digestive system
Explain the importance of subjective information in an assessment of the digestive system
Identify objective signs of health status in an assessment of the digestive system
Identify the 4 quadrants of the abdomen
Identify common areas for hernias
List four tests used to detect colorectal cancer

Nursing Assessment: The Female Genitourinary System

Overview:

This program provides a review of the anatomy of the female genitourinary system and breasts, then demonstrates and describes a step-by-step approach for collecting subjective and objective data for use in an assessment of these systems. This program provides a foundational understanding for an assessment of these areas.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the anatomy and physiology of the female genitourinary system and breasts
Describe subjective data to obtain in the assessment of the female genitourinary system and breasts
Describe objective data to obtain in the assessment of the breasts
Describe objective data to obtain in the assessment of the female genitourinary system
Describe specific abnormalities that should be observed for during an assessment of the breasts and female genitourinary system
List key questions to ask when taking the patient’s history

Nursing Assessment: The Integumentary System

Overview:

This program provides a review of the anatomy of the integumentary system, then demonstrates and describes a step-by-step approach for collecting subjective data for use in an assessment of the integumentary system.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the anatomy and physiology of the components of the integumentary system including the skin, hair, and nails
Explain the importance of subjective information in an assessment of the integumentary system
Describe abnormalities that should be looked for during an assessment of the skin, hair, and nails
List key questions to ask when taking the patient’s history

Nursing Assessment: The Key to Quality Patient Care

Overview:

The nurse often serves as the eyes and ears of the patient’s healthcare team, as he or she has the most frequent direct and prolonged patient contact. This frequent contact is a primary reason it is important for a nurse to be highly adept at patient assessment. A detailed assessment is part of every initial contact and is often referred to as the intake or admission assessment. This program demonstrates and describes the characteristic approach and “tools” used in a system-based assessment of a patient.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Explain the clinical importance of the nursing assessment
List the “tools” used for making an objective assessment of a patient
Explain the value of reports from the patient, family members and friends
List other sources of information which allow for a more complete assessment
Describe processes involved with documenting and reporting an assessment

Nursing Assessment: The Male Genitourinary System

Overview:

This program provides a review of the anatomy of the male genitourinary system, then demonstrates and describes a step-by-step approach for collecting subjective and objective data for use in an assessment of this system. This program provides a foundational understanding for an assessment of this area.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the anatomy and physiology of the male genitourinary system
Describe subjective data to obtain in the assessment of the male genitourinary system
Describe objective data to obtain in the assessment of the male genitourinary system
Describe specific abnormalities that should be observed for during an assessment of the male genitourinary system
List key questions to ask when taking the patient’s history

Nursing Assessment: The Musculoskeletal System

Overview:

The musculoskeletal assessment focuses on body structure and movement. Pain, injury and mobility issues often cause an individual to seek medical assistance for this reason, it’s important for the nurse to be able to perform a skilled assessment of the digestive system.

This program provides a review of the anatomy of the musculoskeletal system, then demonstrates and describes a step-by-step approach to a “top down” assessment of the musculoskeletal system.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system
Explain the importance of subjective information in an assessment of the musculoskeletal system
Identify objective signs of health status in an assessment of the musculoskeletal system
Describe key areas to assess in the jaw, neck and shoulders, the upper and lower extremities, and the spinal column
Identify examples of musculoskeletal abnormalities

Nursing Assessment: The Nervous System, Part 1: Anatomy and Subjective Data

Overview:

Because of its complexity, assessment of the nervous system begins with a good understanding of the components of the central and peripheral nervous system. And, because sensations can be difficult to measure, subjective data is a more critical part of assessment of the nervous system than other body systems. For these reasons, it’s important for the nurse to understand the components of the nervous system be able to be skilled at collecting subjective data.

This program provides a review of the anatomy of the nervous system, then demonstrates and describes a step-by-step approach for collecting subjective data for use in an assessment of the nervous system.

Objective:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system
Explain the importance of subjective information in an assessment of the nervous system
Identify the three main parts of the brain
List key questions to ask when taking the patient’s history

Nursing Assessment: The Respiratory System

Overview:

This program demonstrates and describes a step-by-step approach to assessing the respiratory system.

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system
Explain the use of subjective information in an assessment of the respiratory system
Identify objective signs of health status in an assessment of the respiratory system
Describe the basic process of lung auscultation
Differentiate between normal and adventitious breath sounds
Describe abnormalities and anomalies of the respiratory system

Patient Transfer and Positioning, Part 1: Basic Techniques for Transferring Patients Safely

Product code: A2021

Overview:

Defines key principles for safe transfer, including the need to know the patient, teamwork, environment control, and proper body mechanics. Uses actual patients, in real-life healthcare settings, to illustrate specific techniques such as the pivot transfer, two-person transfer, three-person transfer, and mechanical lifts.

Patient Transfer and Positioning, Part 2: Principles for Positioning Immobilized Patients

Product code: A2022

Overview:

Demonstrates four basic positions: supine, prone, side-lying and Fowler's along with correct methods for moving patients from one position to another.

Stress prevention of complications such as pressure sores, loss of muscle tone and decreased circulation.

Provides guidelines for documentation.

Pharmacology and the Healthcare Professional: Pharmacodynamics What the Drug Does to the Body

Overview:

Pharmacodynamics is the study of how drugs affect the body. The goal of drug therapy is to achieve a good outcome, a therapeutic effect. It is important to bear in mind that not all drug actions are beneficial. Medications may result in both therapeutic and toxic effects. This program provides a basic overview of pharmacodynamics.

Objectives:

After viewing this program the viewer should be able to:

List and explain the three mechanisms of action
List five therapeutic goals that can be achieved through drug therapy
List seven purposes of drug therapy
Define the term: therapeutic range
Describe six drug interactions that should be monitored

Pharmacology and the Healthcare Professional: Pharmacokinetics: What the Body Does to a Drug

Overview:

Pharmacokinetics is the study of what happens to a drug from the time of administration until the parent drug and all metabolites leave the body. This process includes absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. This program provides a basic overview of pharmacokinetics.

Objectives:

After viewing this program the viewer should be able to:

Define the terms: time to onset of action and time to peak effect
Define the terms: half-life, steady state, onset, peak and trough and duration
Explain the difference between enteral and parenteral drug administration
Describe factors that affect drug distribution in the body

Pharmacology and the Healthcare Professional: Pharmacology and the Healthcare Process

Overview:

This program provides viewers with an overview of how the use of medication is incorporated as part of the overall process of patient assessment, diagnosis, care planning, implementation and evaluation.

Objectives:

After viewing this program the viewer should be able to:

Explain the medication reconciliation process and why it's important
Describe differences in medication effect in different patient populations such as pediatric patients and pregnant women
List the "rights" of medication administration

Pharmacology and the Healthcare Professional: Principles of Pharmacology

Overview:

This program focuses on those aspects of pharmacology that most impact patient care. These include: therapeutic equivalence, pharmaceutics, the three phases of drug action, toxicology, pharmacognosy, absorption of medications and site of drug action. An understanding of these aspects of pharmacology is critical if healthcare professionals are to provide safe and effective medication administration.

Objectives:

After viewing this program the viewer should be able to:

Describe the three phases of drug metabolism
Define "pharmacognosy"
Explain how different drug preparations affect drub absorption
Explain how different administrative routes affect drub absorption

Protecting Your Body At Work, Part 1: Your Muscles and Bones

Series Overview:

In an average workday, healthcare workers are required to stand or sit for long periods of time and lift heavy, cumbersome weight, often non-ambulatory patients, sometimes in awkward positions or in confined spaces such as bathrooms. As a result, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that healthcare workers have the highest rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of all occupations.

This series helps healthcare workers protect themselves from these injuries through an understanding of basic body mechanics, leverage, balance and the force of gravity to help move more safely, and through the use of lifting strategies and assistive devices to prevent injury.

Overview:

This program will explain how the muscles and bones of the body work together to move, and describes common back injuries that can occur from moving incorrectly.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Describe the arrangement of muscles in antagonistic pairs
List the 5 regions and 4 curves of the vertebral column
Differentiate between a sprain and a strain injury to the back
Describe the three important keys to helping avoid back and other musculoskeletal injuries

Protecting Your Body At Work, Part 2: The Mechanics of Lifting and Moving

Series Overview:

Overview:

This program demonstrates and describes the mechanics of lifting and moving weight, including using appropriate muscle groups, using the center of gravity, and balance.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Identify muscle groups typically used in lifting and moving weight
Describe three components of the mechanical principles of lifting and moving
Describe the body mechanics involved with sitting

Protecting Your Body At Work, Part 3: Moving Patients Safely

Series Overview:

Overview:

This program demonstrates and describes ways healthcare workers can maintain their own safety and avoid injury when they move, turn, and ambulate patients, and when to obtain the assistance of another person or a lifting device.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Assess and plan patient moves
Safely move a patient confined to a bed with and without a lift sheet
Safely transfer a patient to a chair and wheelchair
Safely ambulate with a patient
Safely assist a falling patient to the ground
Describe when to use a lifting device

Range of Motion Exercises: Theory and Practices

Product code: M126 Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Overview:

Explains the concepts and principles of range of motion exercises, and describes the necessary steps involved in planning an individualized exercise program. Exercises for all the major body joints are demonstrated in supine, prone and side-laying positions.

Suctioning: Nasotracheal Suctioning and Monitoring Complications

Series Overview:

This update of Medcom's classic suctioning course provides healthcare professionals with demonstrations of the fundamentals of airway suctioning. Now in a more convenient two-part format, this series demonstrates current practices and techniques to provide nurses with an understanding of nasotracheal, oropharyngeal and both open and closed in-line endotracheal suctioning, and the indications for the use of each.

Overview:

This program describes the anatomy of the airway, demonstrates methods designed to mobilize respiratory secretions, demonstrates nasotracheal suctioning techniques used to remove accumulated secretions, and describes potential complications to monitor.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

List the physiological effects of accumulated respiratory secretions.
Describe the technique for nasotracheal suctioning and indications for its use.
Identify assessment findings used to establish the need for suctioning.
Name potential complications of the suctioning procedures.

Suctioning: Oropharyngeal and Endotracheal Techniques

Series Overview:

Overview:

This program describes the anatomy of the airway, demonstrates oropharyngeal suctioning techniques, and both open and closed in-line endotracheal suctioning techniques used to remove accumulated secretions.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

List the physiological effects of accumulated respiratory secretions.
Describe the technique for nasotracheal suctioning and indications for its use.
Identify assessment findings used to establish the need for suctioning.
Name potential complications of the suctioning procedures.

Urinary Care

Product code: M035 Reviewed for accuracy: 2011

Overview:

Provides an excellent tool for teaching the appropriate collection technique and the nursing responsibilities toward the patient.