Vaccinations are given to provide immunity against certain infectious diseases. They produce their protective effect by inducing active immunity, providing immunological memory which enables the immune system to recognise and respond to any future exposure by a natural infection of the disease. Healthcare professionals administering immunisation vaccines must receive specific training in immunisation, and be […]
Category Archives: Tomorrows Clinicians
Urinalysis
Urinalysis is the process of testing a sample of urine for abnormal contents. Abnormalities in urine may be indicative of a number of pathologies and diseases. Urine can be evaluated by its physical appearance, for example the colour and clarity; and by biochemical analysis of its contents. Urine can be tested for abnormalities at the […]
Temperature Measurement
The measurement of body temperature is an observation that can provide important physiological information. Core body temperature is maintained between 36 and 37 point five degrees Celsius and is regulated by the hypothalamus in the brain. Any deviation from the normal range may indicate disease or infection, deterioration in condition, or reaction to treatment. There […]
Suturing: Procedure
The aim of suturing and good wound care is to minimise deformity and scarring and to prevent infection. There are some situations where closure by suturing is not appropriate. In these cases the patient should be referred to a surgeon from the appropriate specialty for further advice on management before closure is carried out. Once […]
Subcutaneous Injections
A subcutaneous injection is given into fat and loose connective tissue underlying the dermis. This route is used for administering small doses of non-irritating, water soluble substances. Subcutaneous tissue is not richly supplied with blood vessels, so medication is absorbed slowly. For this reason, it is the preferred route for administration of medications that require […]
Repositioning a Patient (Slide Sheets)
Manual Handling refers to the process of transporting or supporting of a load by hand or bodily force. This may be a person or an object. To create a safe environment for all staff, patients and visitors, manual handling should be avoided when possible if the option of using other techniques or equipment is feasible. […]
Standing a Patient from Sitting
Manual Handling refers to the process of transporting or supporting of a load by hand or bodily force. This may be a person or an object. To create a safe environment for all staff, patients and visitors, manual handling should be avoided when possible if the option of using other techniques or equipment is feasible. […]
Surgical Scrubbing Up
Hand washing is required when entering any clinical area and before commencing any procedure. For most procedures carried out in a ward environment, it is adequate to wash with soap and water or use alcohol gel. Procedures carried out in a theatre environment usually require the hands and forearm to be washed using an aseptic […]
Urinary Pregnancy Testing
A urinary pregnancy test measures the presence of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin, or HCG, in a sample of urine. The test will be positive if a certain level of HCG is present in the urine. HCG is a hormone which is secreted from the placenta, and can usually be detected in the urine 7 days from […]
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
Simple respiratory tests can be used to measure lung volumes and flows, during inspiratory and forced expiratory manoeuvres. These are valuable in the detection of mechanical abnormalities associated with respiratory disorders. The Peak Expiratory Flow Rate can indicate the presence of airflow obstruction, which may be seen in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary […]