Role of Nursing Personnel

Role of Nursing Personnel

  • Registered Nurse (RN)
    • Assess patients for pressure ulcer risk and develop a plan of care to prevent the development of pressure ulcers.
    • Assess patients for factors that may delay wound healing and develop a plan of care to address these factors.
    • Assess and document initial wound appearance, including wound size, depth, color, and drainage.
    • Plan nursing actions to assist with wound healing, including wound care, positioning, and nutritional interventions.
    • Choose dressings and therapies for wound treatment (in conjunction with the HCP and/or wound care specialist).
    • Implement wound care for complex or new wounds, including negative-pressure wound therapy and hyperbaric O2 therapy.
    • Evaluate whether wound care is effective in promoting wound healing.
    • Provide teaching to patient and caregivers about home wound care and pressure ulcer prevention.
  • Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN)
    • Perform sterile dressing changes on acute and chronic wounds.
    • Apply ordered topical antimicrobials and anti-bactericidals to wounds.
    • Apply prescribed dressings or medications for wound debridement.
    • Collect and record data about wound appearance.
    • Reinforce teaching that was provided by the RN.
  • Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP)
    • Perform dressing changes for chronic wounds using clean technique (must consider state nurse practice act and agency policy).
    • Empty wound drainage containers and document drainage on intake and output record.
    • Report changes in wound appearance or drainage to RN.
  • Role of Other Team Members (Dietitian)
    • Assess and monitor patient’s nutritional status.
    • Establish an intervention together with the inter-professional team.
    • Monitor patient’s progress toward achieving the goals of care.

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