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

5

Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:

A Nursing Process Approach, 3rd edition

Name Date

Unit Position

Instructor/Evaluator: Position

SKILL 1-

Monitoring Temperature Using an

Overhead Radiant Warmer

Goal:The infant’s temperature is maintained within normal

limits without injury. Comments

1. Check medical order or nursing care plan for the use of a
   radiant warmer.


2. Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if indicated.


3. Identify the patient.


4. Close curtains around bed and close the door to the room,
   if possible. Discuss the procedure with the patient’s family.


5. Plug in the warmer. Turn the warmer to the manual
   setting. Allow the blankets to warm before placing the
   infant under the warmer.
   6.Switch the warmer setting to automatic. Set the warmer to
   the desired abdominal skin temperature, usually 36.5C.


6. Place the infant under the warmer. Attach the probe to
   the infant’s abdominal skin at mid-epigastrium, halfway
   between the xiphoid and the umbilicus. Cover with a foil
   patch.


7. When the abdominal skin temperature reaches the desired
   set point, check the patient’s axillary or rectal temperature,
   based on facility policy, to be sure it is within the normal
   range.


8. Adjust the warmer’s set point slightly, as needed, if the
   axillary or rectal temperature is abnormal. Do not change
   the set point if the axillary or rectal temperature is normal.


9. Remove additional PPE, if used. Perform hand hygiene.


10. Check frequently to be sure the probe maintains contact
    with the patient’s skin. Continue to monitor temperature
    measurement and other vital signs.

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

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