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 Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:

A Nursing Process Approach, 3rd edition

Name Date

Unit Position

Instructor/Evaluator: Position

SKILL 1-

Using a Cooling Blanket

Goal:The patient maintains the desired body temperature. Comments

1. Review the medical order for the application of the
   hypothermia blanket. Obtain consent for the therapy
   per facility policy.


2. Gather the necessary supplies and bring to the bedside
   stand or overbed table.


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


4. Identify the patient. Determine if the patient has had any
   previous adverse reaction to hypothermia therapy.


5. Close curtains around bed and close the door to the room,
   if possible. Explain what you are going to do and why you
   are going to do it to the patient.


6. Check that the water in the electronic unit is at the appro-
   priate level. Fill the unit two thirds full with distilled water,
   or to the fill mark, if necessary. Check the temperature set-
   ting on the unit to ensure it is within the safe range.


7. Assess the patient’s vital signs, neurologic status, peripheral
   circulation, and skin integrity.


8. Adjust bed to comfortable working height, usually elbow
   height of the care giver (VISN 8 Patient Safety Center,
   2009).


9. Make sure the patient’s gown has cloth ties, not snaps or
   pins.


10. Apply lanolin or a mixture of lanolin and cold cream
    to the patient’s skin where it will be in contact with the
    blanket.


11. Turn on the blanket and make sure the cooling light is on.
    Verify that the temperature limits are set within the desired
    safety range.


12. Cover the hypothermia blanket with a thin sheet or bath
    blanket.


13. Position the blanket under the patient so that the top edge
    of the pad is aligned with the patient’s neck.

ExcellentSatisfactoryNeeds Practice

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