IntroductionAs all nurses know, the goal of continuing education is to help each nurse to maintain the highest level of nursing skill. This course was designed with that objective in mind. This test was meant to be used by those nurses who need to advance and/or improve their skill level in the aria of cardiovascular assessment. Therefore, this course goes beyond the basic” theory that all nurses would be expected to know from their basic training in nursing school. This course presents the theory needed to perform a complete and detailed cardiovascular assessment. We hope that all medical/surgical nurses who participate in this course will have the opportunity to use this theoretical knowledge in the workplace, and to improve their clinical assessment skills. You will be able to maximize your learning experience by first studying the course objectives. The objectives will point out those topics that are of the greatest importance. The test at the end of this course will be based on course objectives. This is a comprehensive course dealing with major aspects of assessment of the adult patient. The beginning of the course points out the basic anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system that all nurses are quite familiar with. Preface Assessment of the cardiovascular system is one of the most important areas of the nurse’s daily patient assessment. This course is designed to be used with the guidelines already in effect at your institution. As a guide, this course could be used alone. It presents a foundation of relevant anatomy and physiology concepts needed as a background for performing a precise and definite nursing assessment. At the end of this program a brief tool is presented for your use at the bedside. One of the most powerful tools that the nurse should use is the power of observation. Always be observant for even a slight deviation from the norm. If you detect something that is abnormal, further assess that area, and report your findings. Be as objective as possible. When you are unsure, investigate it further. Assess with every tool possible; inspection, palpation, etc. Report your findings as clearly as possible. Charting your results clearly is essential for others to be able to assess the problem, and good documentation is also essential for the treatment of the patient as well as for the nursing care. Lastly, follow through with your findings. Especially if there is an abnormality, report your findings to the appropriate person(s). Chart those finding and the fact that you did report it. Take credit and responsibility for your actions. It is your legal and moral duty. Accurate charting and reporting will protect you and the patient. In other words . . . accurate and thorough assessment and reporting are essential tools to keep in mind throughout this course. |