Fundamentals of Nursing: Infection Control, Vital Signs, and Pain Management

In this episode, we dive into the essential nursing objectives for infection prevention and control, vital signs, and pain management. Join us as we explore the infection chain and provide practical examples of preventing infection at each step. We’ll break down the body’s defenses and identify patients most at risk for infections, while highlighting the transmission risks of healthcare-associated infections.Next, we’ll cover the key elements of vital sign assessment, from temperature and blood pressure to pulse and oxygen saturation, explaining the physiological regulation behind these critical indicators. We’ll also discuss how to assess vital signs across different age groups and what factors can cause variations.Finally, we tackle pain management, outlining the physiology of pain and debunking common misconceptions. You’ll learn about pain assessment, cultural influences on pain perception, and how nurses can effectively manage pain using both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Whether you’re a nursing student or a healthcare professional, this episode equips you with knowledge to enhance patient care in these vital areas.All information in this podcast is sourced from ATI and the 2023 edition of Fundamentals of Nursing by Taylor.🩺 For Anyone About to Start Core – Stuff That Actually Helped MeStarting core can be overwhelming, so I wanted to share a list of things I got that I’ve actually used throughout the program. None of this is required. Clinical EssentialsHand sanitizer (always keep one on you) https://amzn.to/4rgy62XPenlight (neuro checks, pupil assessments) https://amzn.to/4qzr0GEBadge SetupStudent nurse badge (vertical) https://amzn.to/4qBMLFLBadge reference cards (vertical) https://amzn.to/4qF5wblStudent nurse badge (horizontal) https://amzn.to/4jZFIV2Badge reference cards (horizontal) https://amzn.to/4sWxcdkClinical ToolsFoldable clipboard (absolute must for clinicals) https://amzn.to/4jUwvNyPen/pencil combo https://amzn.to/4k4ZcaYClinical report notepad https://amzn.to/3ZxaET2Mini sharpies https://amzn.to/4bXP5CqMini highlighters https://amzn.to/4pUp9LDStethoscopeLittmann stethoscope (used every semester) https://amzn.to/4reKtMRStudy HelpLevel Up RN flashcards set (great for quick reviews)https://amzn.to/4qJ3CXoEveryone has different preferences, but these items stayed useful for me from the start of core through the program. Hope this helps make the transition a little smoother. Good luck, you’ve got this 💙🩺