NAME:________________________
NURSING SKILLS CHECKLIST
This skills checklist was initiated as a result of a joint meeting between the
local nursing schools and local hospitals. The nursing skills checklist was
developed by Kern Health Education Council. It is intended to improve
documentation and communication between nursing education and nursing
service. If you apply for employment at a local hospital, you may be asked to
share your checklist with your employer.
To improve the utilization of the checklist during your two years of nursing
courses, the following instructions are recommended.
1. Write your name on every page of the checklist.
2. Bring the checklist to the clinical laboratory.
3. A different color pen will be used for each semester of the nursing
program:
1st semester – black
2nd semester – green
3rd semester – red
4. The observed column is for the student to initial when the topic has been
covered/observed in lecture, demonstration, or clinical. This does NOT
include observation of a procedure when you have not had an adequate
explanation of the procedure.
5. The lab column is for demonstration in the skills laboratory (Anything you
did in the skills lab). Please place your initials in this column.
6. The clinical laboratory is for demonstration of skills in the various
healthcare agencies/settings. Please place a check ( ) in the appropriate
space. Your faculty member will initial the skill when he/she has seen you
perform the skill.
7. On the last page, the faculty will indicate their full name which
corresponds to their coded initials.
NURSING SKILLS CHECKLIST
CARDIOVASCULAR
Observed
Lab
Clinical
1. Pulses (see BASIC SKILLS)
2. Blood Pressure
a. Auscultate _______________________________________________
b. Palpate __________________________________________________
c. Orthostatic _______________________________________________
d. CVP ____________________________________________________
e. Automatic BP device _______________________________________
3. Assessment of
a. PMI ____________________________________________________
b. S1, S2 __________________________________________________
c. Adventitious Sounds _______________________________________
d. Homan’s sign _____________________________________________
4. Observation of
a. Edema
Sacral ___________________________________________________
Extremity ________________________________________________
b. Neck vein distention ________________________________________
5. Cardiac Monitoring
a. Electrode Application _______________________________________
b. Lead Placement ___________________________________________
c. Recognition of Life
Threatening Dysrhythmias:
Cardiac Standstill __________________________________________
V Fib ___________________________________________________
V Tach __________________________________________________
6. Basic CPR ____________________________________________________
ENDOCRINE
1. Finger stick Blood sugar __________________________________________
2. Urine-S & A ____________________________________________________
GASTROINTESTINAL
1. Auscultate bowel sounds _________________________________________
2. Management of Test Prep (list) ____________________________________
a. ________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________
3. Enemas
a. SS _____________________________________________________
b. H2O ____________________________________________________
c. Fleets ___________________________________________________
d. Retention ________________________________________________
e. Harris Flush ______________________________________________
Observed
Lab
Clinical
4. Feedings
a. Bottle ___________________________________________________
b. Gastrostomy _____________________________________________
c. Gavage with/without Pump __________________________________
d. Hand ___________________________________________________
e. Force Fluids ______________________________________________
f. Calorie Count _____________________________________________
g. Diet Correct for Client ______________________________________
5. Nasogastric tube or GI tube
a. Insertion _________________________________________________
b. Irrigation/Lavage __________________________________________
c. Salem Sump Care _________________________________________
d. Decompression ___________________________________________
6. T-Tube Care ___________________________________________________
7. Specimen Collection
a. Stool ____________________________________________________
b. Occult Blood _____________________________________________
c. guaiac __________________________________________________
8. Ostomies
a. Ostomy Care _____________________________________________
b. Colostomy Irrigation ________________________________________
9. Fecal Disimpaction ______________________________________________
10. Bowel Training _________________________________________________
11. Measure abdominal girth _________________________________________
GYNECOLOGICAL/REPRODUCTIVE
1. Obstetrics
a. Timing Contractions ________________________________________
b. Abdominal Prep ___________________________________________
c. Postpartum Check _________________________________________
d. Fetal Heart Tones _________________________________________
e. Assist with breastfeeding ____________________________________
f. Demonstrate self breast exam ________________________________
g. Apply external FHT monitor __________________________________
h. Apply contraction monitor ___________________________________
i. Leopold’s Maneuver _______________________________________
j. Fundal measurement _______________________________________
k. Remove cord clamp ________________________________________
l. Infant footprints ___________________________________________
INTEGUMENTARY
Observed
Lab
Clinical
1. Prevention/Decubitus ____________________________________________
Assessment/Care _______________________________________________
2. Drain Care
a. Hemovac _____________________________________________
b. Jackson-Pratt __________________________________________
c. Penrose ______________________________________________
3. Sterile Dressings
a. Wet __________________________________________________
b. Dry __________________________________________________
c. Clear _________________________________________________
d. Wound Packing ________________________________________
e. Montgomery Straps _____________________________________
4. Removal of
a. Sutures _______________________________________________
b. Staples _______________________________________________
5. Wound Care ___________________________________________________
6. Wound Irrigation ________________________________________________
MUSCULOSKELETAL
1. Cast Care _____________________________________________________
2. Range of Motion
a. Passive _________________________________________________
b. Active ___________________________________________________
c. Assisted _________________________________________________
3. Traction Care
a. Pin Care _________________________________________________
b. Halo ____________________________________________________
c. Tongs ___________________________________________________
d. Balanced ________________________________________________
e. Bucks ___________________________________________________
f. Pelvic Sling ______________________________________________
g. Bryants __________________________________________________
h. Pelvic Belt _______________________________________________
i. Skeletal _________________________________________________
j. Russells _________________________________________________
4. Sling Application ________________________________________________
5. Cervical Collar _________________________________________________
6. Stump Care ___________________________________________________
7. Neurovascular Check ____________________________________________
8. ABD Pillow ____________________________________________________
9. Assists with Mobility
a. Ambulation _______________________________________________
b. Cane ___________________________________________________
Observed Lab
Clinical
c. Crutches ________________________________________________
d. Walker __________________________________________________
e. Chair/WC ________________________________________________
NEUROLOGICAL/SENSORY/ENT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Neurological Check _____________________________________________
Seizure Precautions _____________________________________________
Mental Status Exam _____________________________________________
Balance/coord/grip strength _______________________________________
Measure head circumference ______________________________________
Assess fontanel ________________________________________________
Assess DTRs/clonus ____________________________________________
RENAL
1. Bladder Palpation _______________________________________________
2. Bladder Training ________________________________________________
3. Catheter Care
a. Male ____________________________________________________
b. Female __________________________________________________
c. Suprapubic _______________________________________________
4. Catheterization
a. Indwelling ________________________________________________
b. Straight _________________________________________________
c. Male ____________________________________________________
d. Female __________________________________________________
5. Fistula or Shunt Care ____________________________________________
6. Intake & Output _________________________________________________
Weigh diapers _______________________________________________
7. Bladder Irrigation _______________________________________________
8. Urine Specimen Collection/Testing
a. C & S ___________________________________________________
b. Midstream _______________________________________________
c. Pedi Bag ________________________________________________
d. From catheter ____________________________________________
e. Urometer ________________________________________________
f. Urine pH _________________________________________________
9. Urostomy Care _________________________________________________
10. Assists with
a. Bedpan _________________________________________________
b. Urinal ___________________________________________________
c. Fracture Pan _____________________________________________
d. Bedside Commode ________________________________________
RESPIRATORY
Observed
Lab
Clinical
1. Croupette/Ohio Care ____________________________________________
2. Oxygen Administration
a. Mask ___________________________________________________
b. Prongs __________________________________________________
c. Portable _________________________________________________
3. Postural Drainage _______________________________________________
4. Chest Percussion _______________________________________________
5. Sputum Specimen ______________________________________________
6. Suctioning
a. Oral ____________________________________________________
b. Tracheal/Endotracheal ______________________________________
c. Nasal ___________________________________________________
d. Bulb syringe ______________________________________________
7. Tracheostomy Care _____________________________________________
8. TCDB ________________________________________________________
9. Auscultate Breath Sounds
a. Physiological _____________________________________________
b. Adventitious ______________________________________________
10. Palpate: Crepitus _______________________________________________
11. Chest tubes
a. Set up __________________________________________________
Water Seal _______________________________________________
Pleurovac ________________________________________________
Emerson Suction __________________________________________
b. Patency _________________________________________________
12. Pulse Oximeter _________________________________________________
13. Apnea Monitor _________________________________________________
PSYCHOSOCIAL
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Spiritual Needs _________________________________________________
Suicide Precautions _____________________________________________
Therapeutic Communication _______________________________________
Death and Dying ________________________________________________
Play therapy ___________________________________________________
Labor Coaching ________________________________________________
COMFORT & HYGIENE
Observed Lab
Clinical
1. Bed making
a. Occupied ________________________________________________
b. Unoccupied ______________________________________________
c. Foot Cradle ______________________________________________
2. Baths
a. Bed ____________________________________________________
b. Tub _____________________________________________________
c. Sitz _____________________________________________________
d. Shower __________________________________________________
e. Infant’s first bath __________________________________________
3. Back Massage _________________________________________________
4. Hair Care
a. Shampoo ________________________________________________
b. Shave ___________________________________________________
c. Brush/Comb ______________________________________________
5. Oral Hygiene ___________________________________________________
6. Denture Care __________________________________________________
7. Positioning
a. Lift _____________________________________________________
b. Turn ____________________________________________________
c. Support _________________________________________________
8. Perineal Care
a. Male ____________________________________________________
b. Female __________________________________________________
9. Postmortum Care _______________________________________________
PHYSICAL SAFETY MEASURES
1. Restraints/Application and Care of
a. Jacket __________________________________________________
b. Wrist ____________________________________________________
c. Leather __________________________________________________
d. Elbow ___________________________________________________
e. Hand Mitts _______________________________________________
2. Sterile Gloving _________________________________________________
3. Sterile Field ____________________________________________________
4. Isolation
a. Standard precautions
(universal) _______________________________________________
b. Airborne precautions _______________________________________
c. Droplet precautions ________________________________________
d. Contact precautions ________________________________________
5. Transferring to
a. Guerney _________________________________________________
b. W/C ____________________________________________________
6. Transporting ___________________________________________________
7. Hand washing __________________________________________________
BASIC SKILLS
Observed
Lab
Clinical
1. Temperature ___________________________________________________
a. Oral ____________________________________________________
b. Rectal ___________________________________________________
c. Axillary __________________________________________________
d. Electronic device __________________________________________
2. Pulse
a. Apical ___________________________________________________
b. Radial ___________________________________________________
c. Pulse deficit ______________________________________________
d. Carotid __________________________________________________
e. Brachial _________________________________________________
f. Dorsalis Pedis ____________________________________________
g. Post Tibial _______________________________________________
h. Femoral _________________________________________________
3. Respirations ___________________________________________________
4. Blood Pressure (see CARDIOVASCULAR)
5. Height ________________________________________________________
6. Weight
a. Standing _________________________________________________
b. Bed Scales _______________________________________________
c. Infant Scales _____________________________________________
7. Application of
a. Cold ____________________________________________________
b. Moist Heat _______________________________________________
c. Aqua K __________________________________________________
8. Ace Bandages _________________________________________________
9. Anti-embolic Stockings ___________________________________________
10. ABD Binder ____________________________________________________
11. Use of Equipment
a. Egg Crate ________________________________________________
b. Bed Cradle _______________________________________________
c. Air Mattress ______________________________________________
d. Slide Board ______________________________________________
e. Specialty Bed (specify)
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
f. Chemstick machine ________________________________________
MEDICATIONS
Observed
Lab
Clinical
1. Dosage Computation ____________________________________________
a. Adult ____________________________________________________
b. Child ____________________________________________________
2. Oral __________________________________________________________
3. Topical
a. Cream/Ointment __________________________________________
b. Spray ___________________________________________________
4. Suppositories
a. Rectal ___________________________________________________
b. Vaginal __________________________________________________
5. Eye
a. Gtts ____________________________________________________
b. Ointment ________________________________________________
6. Ear Gtts ______________________________________________________
7. Injections
a. S.C. ____________________________________________________
b. IM ______________________________________________________
c. IM Z Track _______________________________________________
d. Heparin _________________________________________________
e. Insulin __________________________________________________
f. Site Identification __________________________________________
8. Narcotic Control ________________________________________________
9. Administer to a group of clients ____________________________________
10. IVPush _______________________________________________________
11. IVPB _________________________________________________________
12. Buritrol _______________________________________________________
13. IV drips (specify)
a. Insulin drip _______________________________________________
b. Heparin drip ______________________________________________
c. Aminophyllin drip __________________________________________
d. Morphine drip _____________________________________________
e. ________________________________________________________
f. ________________________________________________________
IV
1. Basic procedure for Insertion
a. Cath over Needle __________________________________________
b. Heparin Lock _____________________________________________
c. Butterfly _________________________________________________
2. Regulate ______________________________________________________
3. Calculate ______________________________________________________
4. Saline Lock
a. Flush ___________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________
Observed Lab
Clinical
5. Bottle Change __________________________________________________
Labeling ______________________________________________________
6. Tubing Change _________________________________________________
Labeling ______________________________________________________
7. Discontinued
a. Peripheral _______________________________________________
b. Central __________________________________________________
8. Site Care
a. Peripheral _______________________________________________
b. Central __________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
9. Automatic Infusion Device
a. Regulation-primary ________________________________________
b. Regulation-Secondary ______________________________________
10. Arterial Puncture Hold ___________________________________________
11. Admin Blood and Blood Products ___________________________________
12. Administer Hyperalimentation
a. With medications __________________________________________
b. Without medications _______________________________________
13. Medications through a central line __________________________________
14. Patient Controlled Analgesic (PCA)
a. Primary Line ______________________________________________
b. Loading Dose _____________________________________________
c. Dose ___________________________________________________
d. Lock Out Interval __________________________________________
e. 4 Hour Limit ______________________________________________
f. Syringe Change ___________________________________________
g. Clear Pump q4h ___________________________________________
15. Blood draws
a. Butterfly _________________________________________________
b. Vacuum Container _________________________________________
c. Central Line ______________________________________________
d. Arterial Line ______________________________________________
OTHER
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________
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PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Observed
Lab
Clinical
1. Receive Essential Components
of Change of Shift Report _________________________________________
2. Communicate Essential Components
of Change of Shift Report _________________________________________
3. Communicate Essential Components
of Clarification Report ____________________________________________
4. Communicate Essential Components
of Client’s Health Status to Physician ________________________________
5. Communicate Essential Components
of Events to Appropriate Managerial
Personnel _____________________________________________________
6. Receive Verbal/Phone Orders from
Physician _____________________________________________________
7. Transcribe Physician Orders ______________________________________
8. Implement Physician Orders ______________________________________
9. Assess Client Health Status _______________________________________
10. Review Reports from Ancillary Departments
a. Laboratory _______________________________________________
b. X-ray ___________________________________________________
c. Special Procedures ________________________________________
11. Initiate Client Care Plan __________________________________________
12. Implement Client Care Plan _______________________________________
13. Revise Client Care Plan as
Client’s Health Status Warrants ____________________________________
14. Makes Client Care Assignments
According to Intensity ____________________________________________
15. Integrate the Nursing
Process in Nursing Rounds _______________________________________
16. Actively Participates in
Physician Rounds _______________________________________________
17. Documentation in the Medical
Record to Meet Professional
and Legal Standards
a. Assessment of Client
physical _________________________________________________
developmental ____________________________________________
plotting growth chart _______________________________________
b. Response to Medical Plan
of Treatment _____________________________________________
c. Response to Nursing Plan
of Treatment _____________________________________________
d. Vital signs graphic sheet ____________________________________
e. Medication Administration ___________________________________
f. IV start __________________________________________________
Observed Lab
Clinical
g. IV fluid balance ___________________________________________
h. ________________________________________________________
i. ________________________________________________________
18. Participate in Client Education (specify)
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
19. Initiates Discharge Planning _______________________________________
20. Conduct Outcome Oriented
Nursing Team Conference ________________________________________
21. Delegate Responsibility __________________________________________
22. Implement Disciplinary
Measures _____________________________________________________
23. Admission Routine ______________________________________________
24. Discharge Routine ______________________________________________
25. Client Advocacy ________________________________________________
REVISED FALL 2000
FACULTY
FACULTY NAME
COURSE
SEMESTER
INITIALS
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