SPECIAL MEDICAL NURSING CARE FOR THE OUT-PATIENT

An outpatient nurse is responsible for the overall care of patients seeking treatment at an outpatient medical facility. At outpatient clinics, patients seek treatment and minor surgery for physical and mental illnesses, and injuries. It is the responsibility of an outpatient nurse to ensure the comfort of patients before, during and after medical procedures and surgery

 INITIAL CARE Patients placed in an outpatient medical facility must be under careful watch to ensure they are prepared for treatment and recovering adequately from medical procedures. An outpatient nurse observes patients on a regular basis and charts symptoms and progress. It is the responsibility of an outpatient nurse to report changes and concerns to physicians and specialists

PRIMARY DUTIES
Outpatient nurses draw blood, check vital signs, monitor blood pressure, temperature and pulse, and ensure that IV lines are maintained. An outpatient nurse may also be required to assist with surgery, supplying physicians with needed surgical tools and instruments

 In many cases, patients do not stay overnight at outpatient clinics. Therefore, an outpatient nurse must ensure that a patient is prepared to recover at home. Before discharge, an outpatient nurse will check symptoms, administer medication and provide written precautions for patients. In addition, an outpatient nurse instructs patients and caretakers on how to take medication and perform minor medical procedures, such as inhome therapy for recovery.

HOME HEALTH CARE

An outpatient nurse can work with patients in their homes. They ensure the patient is taking his or her medications, take pulse and blood pressure, and document the status of each patient assigned to them.

 HOSPICE DUTY RNs working with outpatients can be called on to help people who have decided to go home when they have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Their duties include checking on the patient at assigned times or days, giving the patient medications to relieve pain and making the patient as comfortable as possible. The RN works closely with the doctor assigned to the patient and reports any concerns or medical problems found during visits.

PRIVATE NURSING
An RN can work for an individual as a private

nurse. The RN serves this one patient every

day for a set amount of time. The RN changes

dressings, hands out medications and checks

the patient's vital signs, as well as documents

any medical findings to the doctor.

SPECIAL NURSING CARE FOR THE EMERGENCY PATIENT

 One of the primary responsibilities of an emergency nurse is to provide care to patients when they need it the most. They provide care to patients who have suffered serious and sometimes life-threatening physical injuries e.g. Car accidents, work related injuries and suicide attempts. These injuries can potentially result in secondary complications such as respiratory failure, shock and death..

 DUTIES OF AN EMERGENCY NURSE

Providing care to patients in an emergency situation. Administering emergency procedures e.g. code blue and CPR. Acting fast and thinking on their feet.\ Handling complex and difficult situations. Operating healthcare machines.

PHYSICIAN'S ASSISTANT Upon evaluation, the ER nurse will assist the doctor on-call in multiple tasks including stabilizing a critical patient, stopping the effects of any injury and immediate life-saving steps such as advanced cardiac life support procedures. The nurse will document the diagnosis of the doctor and the planned treatment of the patient as directed by the physician. Nurses will assist the doctor in examination of the patient and treatment of the patient.

DOCUMENTATION The ER nurse will document all the vital statistics of the patient including the heart rate, blood pressure and temperature. The nurse will compile a medical history of the patient, past medical treatment, medications prescribed and any other matter material to the care of the patient. This documentation will continue throughout the care of the patient from evaluation, prognosis, stabilization and ultimately release of the patient from the ER.

 AWARENESS
It is

the responsibility of the ER nurse to be aware of all the emergency room conditions. A nurse must know the inventory of medical supplies, which units are free and clean in order to place patients, replace used equipment and clean the equipment and environment, resupply medical supplies and keep abreast of any new regulations. Part of this duty is to also remain educated on all new equipment or medical procedures being introduced. The ER nurse must be aware of all the hospital policies and protocols as well as communicate these policies to other ER team members.

 SPECIAL NURSING CARE FOR A CRITICAL PATIENT

 Critical care nursing is the field of nursing with a focus on the utmost care of the critically ill or unstable patients Sub specialities of critical care nursing include such areas as Neonatal Intensive Care(or NICU, also called Nursery ICU), Pediatric Intensive Care (or PICU), and Adult Intensive Care (or ICU). The patient population of these units is generally based on the age of the patient

DEFINITION OF CRITICAL CARE NURSING Critical care nursing is that specialty within nursing that deals specifically with human responses to life-threatening problems. A critical care nurse is a licensed professional nurse who is responsible for ensuring that acutely and critically ill patients and their families receive optimal care.

DEFINITION OF A CRITICALLY ILL PATIENT Critically ill patients are defined as those patients who are at high risk for actual or potential life-threatening health problems. The more critically ill the patient is, the more likely he or she is to be highly vulnerable, unstable and complex, thereby requiring intense and vigilant nursing care.

DUTIES OF A CRITICAL CARE NURSE Respect and support the right of the patient or the patient's designated surrogate to autonomous informed decision making. Intervene when the best interest of the patient is in question. Help the patient obtain necessary care. Respect the values, beliefs and rights of the patient. Provide education and support to help the patient or the patient's designated surrogate make decisions.

 Represent the patient in accordance with the patient's choices. Support the decisions of the patient or designated surrogate, or transfer care to an equally qualified critical care nurse. Intercede for patients who cannot speak for themselves in situations that require immediate action. Monitor and safeguard the quality of care the patient receives. Act as a liaison between the patient, the patient's family and other healthcare professionals.