Undertake routine clinical measurements
Overview
This standard covers taking and recording routine clinical measurements to establish a baseline for future comparison or as part of the individual's care plan. The recording of such measurements must take into account the individual's overall condition. It is important that where you have any concerns regarding your ability to correctly take these clinical measurements, or if you are at all unsure of your readings, you must ask another competent member of staff to check your recordings to ensure the correct actions can be instigated without delay.
These activities could be done in a variety of care settings, including hospital wards and other departments including out patients, nursing homes, the individuals own home and GP surgeries.
Users of this standard will need to communicate effectively to meet individuals' needs and wishes and work in line with health and safety legislation, policy and practices.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1. identify and agree the roles and responsibilities of yourself and/or others in undertaking routine clinical measurements
P2. work in partnership with the individual, ensuring that you respect their rights and wishes relating to their privacy, beliefs and dignity
P3. apply standard precautions for infection prevention and control and apply other necessary health and safety measures
P4. seek clinical advice and support from an appropriate member of the team when events or risks are beyond your level of competence
P5. check the individual's identity, confirm the planned action and give the individual relevant information, support and reassurance in a manner which is sensitive to their needs and concerns
P6. establish consent and access information on undertaking routine clinical measurements
P7. take the measurement at the prescribed time and in the prescribed sequence
P8. prepare and use the appropriate equipment in such a way as to obtain an accurate measurement
P9. seek a further recording of the measurement by another staff member if you are unable to obtain the reading or if you are unsure of the reading
P10. observe the condition of the individual throughout the measurement
P11. identify and respond immediately in the case of any significant changes in the individual's condition
P12. recognise and report without delay any measurement which falls outside of normal levels
P13. recognise equipment errors and faults that will impact on readings
P14. report equipment errors and faults, removing equipment from service and ensuring that processes for repair or replacement are in place
P15. clean used equipment and return to usual place of storage after use
P16. dispose of waste in accordance with organisational procedures
P17. complete all relevant documentation required for undertaking routine clinical measurements
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1. how to access and interpret all relevant work instructions, legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols needed to undertake routine clinical measurements
K2. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
K3. specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability
K4. the principles, practice and procedures associated with informed consent
K5. the needs of individuals and carers including issues relating to dignity, confidentiality, and privacy
K6. the importance of applying standard infection control precautions to undertaking physiological measurements and the potential consequences of poor practice
K7. why the clinical measurements are necessary and the importance of undertaking them as directed
K8. why it is necessary to adjust clothing and/or reposition the individual for some clinical measurements
K9. the concerns and worries which individuals may have in relation to some clinical measurements
K10. the range and purpose of equipment used for different measurements
K11. the importance of ensuring equipment is appropriately prepared
K12. how to use the equipment appropriately
K13. how to respond to and manage equipment errors or faults
K14. common conditions which necessitate the recording of physiological measurements
K15. how blood pressure is maintained
K16. the differentiation between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and what is happening to the heart in each reading
K17. the normal limits of blood pressure
K18. conditions where blood pressure may be high or low
K19. how body temperature is maintained
K20. what normal body temperature is
K21. what is meant by pyrexia, hyper-pyrexia and hypothermia
K22. what is normal respiratory rate
K23. what affects respiratory rates in individuals who are ill and well
K24. the normal limits of pulse rates
K25. what affects pulse rates – raising it and lowering it
K26. the sites in the body where pulse points can be found
K27. why an individual's pulse oximetry needs to be measured
K28. the findings when obtaining pulse oximetry, and the implications of these findings
K29. what BMI is and how it is used in weight/dietary control
K30. the factors that influence changes in clinical measurements
K31. the importance of recording all information clearly and precisely in the relevant documentation, including whether the individual is receiving oxygen
K32. how to complete and safely store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements