EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT 1) Describe the role of the nurse in the pre-procedure area.
The nurse is responsible for initial assessment of the patient, initiating IV access, administering oxygen, placing EKG leads on the chest, documenting vital signs, and draws the blood samples for the lab. The nurse calls the doctor when she had prepared the patient unless there is an immediate need for the doctor’s intervention. The nurse administers medication, usually IV. If language barrier occurs, the nurse can use a Language Line for the official translation to foster the communication with the patient.

2) Observe the role of the nurse in correctly identifying patients and their scheduled procedures, including time-out and verification processes.
N/A

3) Identify the role of the nurse in maintaining sterile fields and aseptic technique.
The nurse uses standard precautions and maintains clean technique at all times. The nurse uses sterile gloves for IV access placement.

4) Differentiate between procedural and informed consents.
The procedural consent is signed by the physician who is going to perform the procedure and the informed consent is signed by the patient who agrees to such procedure to be performed.

5) Identify the role of the nurse in obtaining/verifying informed consent.
The nurse verifies that the informed consent is signed before any invasive procedure is initiated. For example, the lumbar puncture requires informed consent.

6) Identify the role of the nurse in communicating with patient/family members, including patient/family teaching.
The nurse is teaching the patient about the medications she/he is receiving and laboratory findings. If family is present, the nurse provides information and answers the questions.

7) Describe the role of the nurse in the post-procedure area.
The nurse communicates with the doctors about