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Ventilator
•    When caring for a client on a ventilator, if an alarm sounds, first, assess the patient.
•    See if the alarm resets or if the cause is obvious.
•    If the alarm continues to sound and the client develops distress
1.    Disconnect the client from the ventilator
2.    Use a manual resuscitation bag
3.    Call the respiratory therapist immediatel
Suctioning
•    Suction no sooner than 2 to 3 hours after eating
•    Be sure to have emesis basin and tissues at hand
•    Administer any bronchodilating medications at least 1/2 hour before chest physiotherapy
Chest tubes
•    When caring for a patient with a chest tube, you must know whether the patient has a leak from the lung. Only when you know there is no leak, may you apply an occlusive dressing.
Catheterization
•    Intermittent catheterization at home may be a clean, not sterile, procedure
Surgery
•    Primary responsibility for obtaining surgical consent rests with the surgeon
•    Informed consent cannot be obtained from the client if the client has an altered level of consciousness, is mentally incompetent, or is under the influence of mind-altering drugs. The health care power of attorney may need to be contacted.
•    Essential to all pre-op teaching is an explanation of all pre-op and post-op routine procedures, and a demonstration of post-op exercises.
•    Currently many surgeries are being performed on an outpatient basis.
Radiation
•    Radiation is more effective on local or regional neoplasia while chemotherapy is more systemic in its effects
•    Only certified nurses may administer chemotherapeutic agents
•    Ionizing radiation will damage both normal and cancerous cells resulting in side effects
•    Clients receiving external radiation are not radioactive at any time
•    Clients receiving internal radiation are not radioactive; the implant or injection is
•    If the source is metabolized, the client’s secretions and excretions may be radioactive for a time, based on the half-life of the isotope.
Wounds
•    Never touch a wound without wearing gloves
•    First post-operative dressing change may be done by physician
•    Give analgesic before dressing change so that it peaks during change
•    Maintain asepsis
•    If drains are present remove dressing one layer at a time to avoid dislodging drain
•    Pressure dressings should not be removed
•    If dressing must be changed frequently, Montgomery straps will prevent skin breakdown from frequent tape removal
•    Wounds out of client’s field of vision or reach require help in dressing