Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills: A Nursing Process Approach

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Copyright © 2011 by Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:

SKILL 5-21

Administering a Vaginal Cream (Continued)

Comments

b. Ask the patient to state his or her name and birth date,

based on facility policy.

c. If the patient cannot identify herself, verify the patient’s

identification with a staff member who knows the patient

for the second source.

15. Complete necessary assessments before administering med-
    ications. Check the patient’s allergy bracelet or ask the
    patient about allergies. Explain the purpose and action of
    each medication to the patient.


16. Scan the patient’s bar code on the identification band, if
    required.


17. Put on gloves.


18. Ask the patient to void before inserting the medication.


19. Position the patient so that she is lying on her back with
    the knees flexed. Maintain privacy with draping. Provide
    adequate light to visualize the vaginal opening.


20. Spread labia with fingers, and cleanse area at vaginal
    orifice with washcloth and warm water, using a different
    corner of the washcloth with each stroke. Wipe from
    above the vaginal orifice downward toward the sacrum
    (front to back).


21. Remove gloves and put on new gloves.


22. Fill vaginal applicator with prescribed amount of cream.
    (See the Skill Variation in your skills book for administer-
    ing a vaginal suppository.)


23. Lubricate applicator with the lubricant, as necessary.


24. Spread the labia with your nondominant hand and
    introduce applicator with your dominant hand gently,
    in a rolling manner, while directing it downward and
    backward.


25. After applicator is properly positioned, labia may be
    allowed to fall in place if necessary to free the hand for
    manipulating the plunger. Push the plunger to its full
    length and then gently remove applicator with plunger
    depressed.
    26.Ask the patient to remain in the supine position for 5 to
    10 minutes after insertion.Offer the patient a perineal pad
    to collect drainage.


26. Dispose of applicator in appropriate receptacle or clean,
    nondisposable applicator according to manufacturer’s
    directions.

ExcellentSatisfactoryNeeds Practice