unit 1

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.

Unit 1

Pre and Post-Procedural Activities


Beginning and Ending Procedure Actions

• Beginning and ending steps of all procedures are the same

• These are very important steps • Commit them to memory and use them

before and after caring for each patient


Beginning Procedure Actions

• Assemble supplies and equipment and bring to patient’s room

• Knock on the door and identify yourself



• Identify the patient according to facility policy

• Ask visitors to leave the room and advise where they may wait

– As desired by patient



• Explain what you are going to do and what is expected of the patient

• Answer questions• Maintain a dialogue with the patient

during procedure• Repeat explanations and instructions as

needed



• Provide privacy by closing the door, privacy curtain, and window curtain

– All three should be closed even if the patient is alone in the room

• Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner



• Set up supplies and equipment at bedside

• Use overbed table or other clean area• Cover with a clean underpad, according

to nursing judgment to provide a clean work surface



• Open packages• Position items for convenient reach• Take care to avoid positioning a

container for soiled items in a manner that requires crossing over clean items to access it



• Position the patient for the procedure • Support with pillows and props, as

needed • Place a clean underpad under wounds

or medical devices, as needed



• Make sure the patient is comfortable and able to maintain the position throughout the procedure



• Cover the patient with a bath blanket and drape for modesty

• Fold the bath blanket back to expose only the area on which you will be working



• Raise the bed to a comfortable working height

• Apply gloves if contact with blood, moist body fluids (except sweat), secretions, excretions, or nonintact skin is likely



• Apply a gown if your uniform will have substantial contact with linen or other articles contaminated with blood, moist body fluid (except sweat), secretions, or excretions.



• Apply a mask and eye protection if splashing of blood or moist body fluid is likely

• Lower the side rail on the side where you will be working


Procedure Completion Actions• Remove gloves• Reposition the patient to ensure he or

she is comfortable and in good body alignment


Procedure Completion Actions• Replace the bed covers, then remove

any drapes • Place used drapes in plastic bag to

discard in trash or soiled linen


Procedure Completion Actions• Elevate the side rails, if used, before

leaving the bedside• Remove other personal protective

equipment, if worn, and discard in plastic bag or according to facility policy


Procedure Completion Actions• Wash your hands or use an alcohol-

based hand cleaner• Return the bed to the lowest horizontal

position • Open the privacy and window curtains


Procedure Completion Actions• Position the call signal and needed

personal items within reach• Wash your hands or use an alcohol-

based hand cleaner


Procedure Completion Actions• Inform visitors that they may return to

the room• Document the procedure, your

observations, and the patient’s response


Procedure Completion Actions• Remove procedural trash and

contaminated linen when you leave the room

• Discard in appropriate container or location, according to facility policy

unit 1

Documents

delmar learning

beginning procedure

procedure support

procedure actionsbeginning

patient copyright

procedure completion

clean items

needed copyright