Basic nursing skills

Vital signs are critical physiological measurements of basic body functions, specifically including temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure. While height, weight, and laboratory results provide important clinical information, they do not measure these immediate, life-sustaining functions and are not classified as vital signs.

A safe environment requires actively reducing fall risks by keeping walkways clear and utilizing ordered safety devices like bed alarms. Leaving floors wet or allowing cluttered hallways is dangerous because these conditions significantly increase the likelihood of resident slips, trips, and serious injuries.

Sitting upright at 90 degrees, also known as high Fowler's position, helps prevent aspiration by using gravity to safely guide food into the stomach. A diagram for this topic isn't available yet — the worked example below walks the same reasoning step by step.

• !Options involving blistering or open skin are incorrect because they indicate more advanced, stage 2 or deeper tissue damage.
• !Pulling on a resident's arms is incorrect and unsafe because it can easily cause skin tears, joint dislocations, or falls.
• !While height, weight, and laboratory results provide important clinical information, they do not measure these immediate, life-sustaining functions and are not classified as vital signs.

Answer each from memory — you'll see instantly whether you're right and why.

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