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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 10-1Promoting Patient Comfort
Goal:The patient experiences relief from discomfort and/or
pain without adverse effect. Comments- Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if indicated.
- Identify the patient.
- Discuss pain with the patient, acknowledging that the
patient’s pain exists. Explain how pain medications and
other pain management therapies work together to provide
pain relief. Allow the patient to help choose interventions
for pain relief. - Assess the patient’s pain, using an appropriate assessment
tool and measurement scale (see Fundamentals Review
10-1 through 10-5). - Provide pharmacologic interventions, if indicated and
ordered. - Adjust the patient’s environment to promote comfort.
a. Adjust and maintain the room temperature per the
patient’s preference.
b. Reduce harsh lighting, but provide adequate lighting
per the patient’s preference.
c. Reduce harsh and unnecessary noise. Avoid having con-
versations immediately outside the patient’s room.
d. Close room door and/or curtain whenever possible.
e. Provide good ventilation in the patient’s room. Reduce
unpleasant odors by promptly emptying bedpans,
urinals, and emesis basins after use. Remove trash
and laundry promptly. - Prevent unnecessary interruptions and coordinate patient
activities to group activities together. Allow for and plan
rest periods without disturbance. - Assist the patient to change position frequently. Assist the
patient to a comfortable position, maintaining good align-
ment and supporting extremities as needed. Raise the head
of the bed as appropriate. (See Chapter 9, Activity, for
more information on positioning.)
ExcellentSatisfactoryNeeds Practice