Clinical skills procedures are a fundamental aspect of patient-centred nursing care.The Royal Marsden Hospital Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures, Professional Edition provides up-to-date, evidence-based clinical skills procedures related to every aspect of a person's care. Procedure guidelines are based on an appraisal of the latest research findings and advice from clinical experts, to enable students and qualified nurses to provide the best possible care. The manual provides the underlying theory and evidence for procedures enabling nurses to gain the confidence they need to become fully informed, skilled practitioners.

The Eighth edition is organised in four sections which reflect the patient experience: Managing the patient journey, Supporting the patient with human functioning, Supporting the patient through the diagnostic process, Supporting the patient through treatment. It includes additional headings to make the text even more accessible and extra colour photos and diagrams.

Nationally recognised as the essential guide to clinical nursing skillsIncludes step-by step procedures related to essential aspects of a patient's careProvides all the knowledge nurses need to be fully informed and practice accountablyEnables nurses to deliver clinically effective, patient-focused careClear, user friendly and easy to understandAll procedures include the rationale for each actionEvidence graded to help nurses assess its validityOnline editionwww.rmmonline.co.uk also available

Lisa Dougherty OBE, RN, MSc, DClinP, is a Nurse Consultant in Intravenous Therapy, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in the UK.

Sara Lister RN, PGDAE, BSc, MSC, MBACP, is with The Pastoral Care Centre, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in the UK.

Detailed table of contents vi

List of contributors xxii

Foreword to the eighth edition xxvi

Introduction and guidelines for use xxvii

Quick reference to the procedure guidelines xxx

Acknowledgements xxxiv

List of abbreviations xxxv

Part One Managing the patient journey 1

Chapter 1 The context of nursing 3

Chapter 2 Assessment, discharge and end of life care 21

Chapter 3 Infection prevention and control 79

Chapter 4 Risk management 129

Part Two Supporting the patient with human functioning 153

Chapter 5 Communication 155

Chapter 6 Elimination 195

Chapter 7 Moving and positioning 279

Chapter 8 Nutrition, fl uid balance and blood transfusion 333

Chapter 9 Patient comfort 417

Chapter 10 Respiratory care 533

Part Three Supporting the patient through the diagnostic process 615

Chapter 11 Interpreting diagnostic tests 617

Chapter 12 Haematological procedures 713

Chapter 13 Observations 745

Chapter 14 Radionuclide investigations and therapy 829

Part Four Supporting the patient through treatment 867

Chapter 15 Cytotoxic therapy 869

Chapter 16 Medicines management 933

Chapter 17 Perioperative care 1041

Chapter 18 Vascular access devices: insertion and management 1079

Chapter 19 Wound management 1165

Appendices 1203

Index 1215