Clinical Skills Handbook: Step-by-Step
Nursing Procedures
Comprehensive Q&A - 2025 Edition
Section 1: Vital Signs Assessment
Question 1: What are the normal ranges for adult vital signs?
Answer: Normal adult vital signs are:
Temperature: 36.5-37.5°C (97.7-99.5°F)
Heart Rate: 60-100 beats per minute
Respiratory Rate: 12-20 breaths per minute
Blood Pressure: Systolic 90-120 mmHg, Diastolic 60-80 mmHg
Oxygen Saturation (SpO2): 95-100%
Question 2: What are the five sites for measuring body temperature?
Answer: The five sites are:
1. Oral (sublingual)
2. Rectal
3. Axillary (armpit)
4. Tympanic (ear)
5. Temporal artery (forehead)
Question 3: How long should you count respirations?
,Answer: Count respirations for a full 60 seconds, especially if the rate is irregular. For regular
respirations, you may count for 30 seconds and multiply by two, but a full minute is preferred
for accuracy.
Question 4: What is the correct technique for measuring blood pressure
manually?
Answer:
1. Position patient's arm at heart level
2. Select appropriate cuff size (bladder should encircle 80% of arm)
3. Place cuff 2-3 cm above antecubital fossa
4. Palpate brachial artery
5. Inflate cuff 30 mmHg above point where pulse disappears
6. Deflate slowly at 2-3 mmHg per second
7. Note first Korotkoff sound (systolic) and disappearance (diastolic)
Question 5: What factors can cause false vital sign readings?
Answer: Factors include:
Recent physical activity or smoking
Pain or anxiety
Full bladder
Incorrect equipment size
Improper positioning
Talking during measurement
Recent food or beverage intake
, Environmental temperature extremes
Section 2: Infection Control & Hand Hygiene
Question 6: What are the five moments of hand hygiene?
Answer: The WHO Five Moments are:
1. Before touching a patient
2. Before clean/aseptic procedures
3. After body fluid exposure risk
4. After touching a patient
5. After touching patient surroundings
Question 7: How long should you wash your hands with soap and water?
Answer: Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, ensuring all surfaces
including backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails are cleaned.
Question 8: What are the differences between standard, contact, droplet, and
airborne precautions?
Answer:
Standard Precautions: Apply to all patients; include hand hygiene and PPE based on
anticipated exposure
, Contact Precautions: Gown and gloves for direct contact; used for MRSA, C. difficile,
VRE
Droplet Precautions: Surgical mask within 3-6 feet; used for influenza, pertussis,
meningitis
Airborne Precautions: N95 respirator and negative pressure room; used for TB,
measles, varicella
Question 9: What is the proper sequence for donning PPE?
Answer: The correct order is:
1. Gown
2. Mask or respirator
3. Goggles or face shield
4. Gloves (extend over gown cuffs)
Question 10: What is the proper sequence for doffing PPE?
Answer: The correct order is:
1. Gloves
2. Goggles or face shield
3. Gown
4. Mask or respirator
5. Perform hand hygiene after removing all PPE
Section 3: Medication Administration
Nursing Procedures
Comprehensive Q&A - 2025 Edition
Section 1: Vital Signs Assessment
Question 1: What are the normal ranges for adult vital signs?
Answer: Normal adult vital signs are:
Temperature: 36.5-37.5°C (97.7-99.5°F)
Heart Rate: 60-100 beats per minute
Respiratory Rate: 12-20 breaths per minute
Blood Pressure: Systolic 90-120 mmHg, Diastolic 60-80 mmHg
Oxygen Saturation (SpO2): 95-100%
Question 2: What are the five sites for measuring body temperature?
Answer: The five sites are:
1. Oral (sublingual)
2. Rectal
3. Axillary (armpit)
4. Tympanic (ear)
5. Temporal artery (forehead)
Question 3: How long should you count respirations?
,Answer: Count respirations for a full 60 seconds, especially if the rate is irregular. For regular
respirations, you may count for 30 seconds and multiply by two, but a full minute is preferred
for accuracy.
Question 4: What is the correct technique for measuring blood pressure
manually?
Answer:
1. Position patient's arm at heart level
2. Select appropriate cuff size (bladder should encircle 80% of arm)
3. Place cuff 2-3 cm above antecubital fossa
4. Palpate brachial artery
5. Inflate cuff 30 mmHg above point where pulse disappears
6. Deflate slowly at 2-3 mmHg per second
7. Note first Korotkoff sound (systolic) and disappearance (diastolic)
Question 5: What factors can cause false vital sign readings?
Answer: Factors include:
Recent physical activity or smoking
Pain or anxiety
Full bladder
Incorrect equipment size
Improper positioning
Talking during measurement
Recent food or beverage intake
, Environmental temperature extremes
Section 2: Infection Control & Hand Hygiene
Question 6: What are the five moments of hand hygiene?
Answer: The WHO Five Moments are:
1. Before touching a patient
2. Before clean/aseptic procedures
3. After body fluid exposure risk
4. After touching a patient
5. After touching patient surroundings
Question 7: How long should you wash your hands with soap and water?
Answer: Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, ensuring all surfaces
including backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails are cleaned.
Question 8: What are the differences between standard, contact, droplet, and
airborne precautions?
Answer:
Standard Precautions: Apply to all patients; include hand hygiene and PPE based on
anticipated exposure
, Contact Precautions: Gown and gloves for direct contact; used for MRSA, C. difficile,
VRE
Droplet Precautions: Surgical mask within 3-6 feet; used for influenza, pertussis,
meningitis
Airborne Precautions: N95 respirator and negative pressure room; used for TB,
measles, varicella
Question 9: What is the proper sequence for donning PPE?
Answer: The correct order is:
1. Gown
2. Mask or respirator
3. Goggles or face shield
4. Gloves (extend over gown cuffs)
Question 10: What is the proper sequence for doffing PPE?
Answer: The correct order is:
1. Gloves
2. Goggles or face shield
3. Gown
4. Mask or respirator
5. Perform hand hygiene after removing all PPE
Section 3: Medication Administration
