Fundamental Nursing Skills Lab

LAB 2
Hand Washing
Required readings & videos:
Cobbett, S. L., Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., Ostendorf, W. R., & Laplante, N.
(2024). Perry & Potter’s Canadian Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques
(2nd ed.). Elsevier Inc:
• Chapter 5
o Skill 5.1 Hand Hygiene (pages 77-80)
Clinical Skills: Skills for LPN/LVN Collection (Evolve online database):
• Basic Hand Hygiene
o Performing Hand Hygiene
Objectives Include:
1. Perform hand hygiene to encourage infection control.
2. Develop an awareness of the impact and importance of handwashing.

Personal Protective Equipment

Required readings & videos:

Cobbett, S. L., Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., Ostendorf, W. R., & Laplante, N.
(2024). Perry & Potter’s Canadian Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques
(2nd ed.). Elsevier Inc:
• Chapter 5
o Skill 5.2 Applying and Removing Cap, Mask, and Protective Eyewear
(pages 80-92)
o Skill 5.3 Caring for Patient Under Transmission-Based Precautions
(pages 85-92)
Clinical Skills: Skills for LPN/LVN Collection (Evolve online database):
• Basic Infection Control
o Using Personal Protective Equipment
Objectives Include:
1. Demonstrate ability to properly gown, glove and mask.
2. Discuss the rationale for using personal protective equipment.

LAB 3

Bed Making
Required readings & videos:
Cobbett, S. L., Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., Ostendorf, W. R., & Laplante, N.
(2024). Perry & Potter’s Canadian Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques
(2nd ed.). Elsevier Inc:
• Chapter 18
o Procedural Guideline 18.6 Making an Occupied Bed (pages 509-
513)
o Procedural Guideline 18.7 Making an Unoccupied Bed (pages 513-
514)
Clinical Skills: Skills for LPN/LVN Collection (Evolve online database):
• Bed Making
o Making an Unoccupied Bed
o Making an Occupied Bed
Objectives Include:
1. Explain the reasons why it is important for clients to have clean,
wrinkle-free linen.
2. Describe the safety features associated with hospital beds.
3. Identify safety considerations (for self and the patient) a nurse must
attend to - prior to, during and after making a bed.
3. Discuss how a nurse adheres to the principles of medical asepsis during
bed-making.
4. Identify the common bed positions and provide an example why this
position might be used e.g. High Fowler’s.
5. Demonstrate how to make an unoccupied bed.
6. Demonstrate how to make an occupied bed.
7. Identify comfort measures underlying bed-making procedures.

LAB 4&5

Bed Bath

Required readings & videos:

Cobbett, S. L., Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., Ostendorf, W. R., & Laplante, N.
(2024). Perry & Potter’s Canadian Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques
(2nd ed.). Elsevier Inc:
• Chapter 18
o Skill 18.1 Complete or Partial Bed Bath (pages 476-485)
o Procedural Guideline 18.1 Perineal Care (pages 485-487)
Clinical Skills: Skills for LPN/LVN Collection (Evolve online database):
• Bathing
o Performing a Complete or Partial Bed Bath
o Assisting with a Tub Bath or Shower
 o Performing a Back Massage
o Performing Perineal Care for a Female Patient
o Performing Perineal Care for a Male Patient
• Personal Hygiene and Grooming
o Assisting with Gown Change
Objectives Include:
1. Identify factors having the potential to impact skin condition.
2. Discuss the basic principles that guide the practice of good skin care.
3. Assess and discuss findings of the integumentary system
4. Assess and discuss the adequacy of good personal hygiene practices
via therapeutic
communication and physical assessment skills.
5. Discuss the rationale for administering good back care with massage
under usual circumstances in daily care.
6. Demonstrate correct techniques for assisting clients with good hygiene
measures inclusive of methods of providing privacy, managing supplies,
and assuring infection control techniques.
7. Describe correct technique for administering peri-care to the male and
female client, inclusive of rational for the best approach in this care
delivery.
8. Discuss common products used in administering a complete bed bath
i.e.: rinse-free soap-like products.
9. Discuss possible assessment findings and your course of action for
common problems of the skin i.e.: reddened pressure areas, perineal area
or diabetic foot and skin care needs.
10. Describe the benefits and purposes of providing a client a back rub.

LAB 6
Assisting with Personal Grooming
Required readings & videos:
Cobbett, S. L., Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., Ostendorf, W. R., & Laplante, N.
(2024). Perry & Potter’s
Canadian Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques (2nd ed.). Elsevier Inc:
• Chapter 18
o Skill 18.2 Oral Hygiene (pages 489-493)
o Procedural Guideline 18.3 Care of Dentures (page 494)
o Skill 18.3 Performing Mouth Care for an Unconscious or Debilitated
Patient
(pages 495- 498)
o Procedural Guideline 18.4 Hair Care – Combing and Shaving (pages
499-501)
o Procedural Guideline 18.5 Hair Care – Shampooing (pages 501-503)
 o Skill 18.4 Performing Nail and Foot Care (page 503-508)
• Chapter 12
o Procedural Guideline 12.2 Applying Graduated Compression
(Elastic) Stocking
and Sequential Compression Device (pages 316-319)

Clinical Skills: Skills for LPN/LVN Collection (Evolve online database):

• Personal Hygiene and Grooming
o Performing Oral Hygiene for an Unconscious Patient
o Cleaning Dentures
o Performing Hair Care and Shampooing in Bed
o Shaving a Male Patient
o Performing Nail and Foot Care
• Safe Patient Handling
o Applying Compression Stockings
Objectives Include:
1. Identify factors that can affect personal hygiene needs.
2. Discuss assessment skills to employ in determining the effectiveness of
personal hygiene self- care practices i.e.: client interview, physical
assessment.
3. Describe types of personal grooming measures LPNs provide to the
client.
4. Demonstrate techniques for assisting clients with personal grooming as
established in the classroom setting.
5. Identify and describe normal and abnormal findings during inspection
and assessment of mouth, ears, eyes, nose, nails, and hair.
6. Based on assessment findings, outline and discuss potential plans and
implementation of nursing interventions for skin, mouth, ears, eyes, nose,
nails, and hair.
7. Discuss special procedure for care of contact lenses, prosthetic eye,
eyeglasses, dentures and hearing appliances.
8. List outcome criteria to evaluate goal achievement in the delivery of
personal care needs with the client.

Height, Weight and Blood Glucose

Required readings & videos:

Cobbett, S. L., Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., Ostendorf, W. R., & Laplante, N.
(2024. Perry & Potter’s Canadian Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques
(2nd ed.). Elsevier Inc:
• Chapter 9
o Skill 9.9 Blood Glucose Monitoring (pages 263-268)
Clinical Skills: Skills for LPN/LVN Collection (Evolve online database):
• Vital Signs
o Measuring Height and Weight
• Specimen Collection
o Performing Blood Glucose Testing
Objectives Include:
1. Identify the purposes for measuring the following height and weight.
2. Explain preparation of the client and the environment to conduct the
measurements of height and weight.
3. Discuss various modes of measuring height (i.e.: standing scale, against
measured wall surface) and weight (i.e.: standing scale, w/c scale,
stretcher scale
4. Demonstrate correct procedure for the accurate measurement of height
and weight.
5. Demonstrate the conversion of metric kilograms and centimeters to
pounds and inches.
6. Identify the equipment necessary for monitoring a blood glucose level.
7. Describe the procedure for monitoring a blood glucose level.
8. Demonstrate proper technique for collecting a blood glucose level.
9. Identify interventions for clients who require monitoring of their blood
glucose levels.

Monitoring Vital Signs

Required readings & videos:

Cobbett, S. L., Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., Ostendorf, W. R., & Laplante, N.
(2024). Perry & Potter’s Canadian Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques
(2nd ed.). Elsevier Inc:
• Chapter 7
o Skill 7.1 Measuring Body Temperature (pages 112-122)
o Skill 7.2 Teaching Patients to Measure Body Temperature (pages
123-126)
o Skill 7.3 Assessing Radial Pulse (pages 126-131)
o Skill 7.4 Assessing Apical Pulse (pages 131-135)
o Skill 7.5 Assessing Respirations (pages 135-140)
o Procedural Guideline 7.1 Noninvasive Electronic Blood Pressure
Measurement
(pages 154-155)
o Procedural Guideline 7.2 Measuring Oxygen Saturation (pages
156-157)
• Chapter 16
o Skill 16.1 Pain Assessment and Basic Comfort Measures
(pages 414-421)
Clinical Skills: Skills for LPN/LVN Collection (Evolve online database):
• Vital Signs
o Taking Temperatures
o Assessing the Radial Pulse
o Assessing the Apical Pulse
o Assessing Respiration: Rate, Rhythm, & Effort
o Obtaining Blood Pressure by the Two-Step Method
o Measuring Oxygen Saturation with Pulse Oximetry
o Assessing Pain
Objectives Include:
1. Describe factors that could potentially affect vital signs.
2. Identify normal range variations in pulse, respirations, SpO2, and blood
pressure for the adult client
3. Identify 2 sites commonly use to assess the pulse and the reasons for
use of each.
4. Identify characteristics to include when assessing the pulse.
5. Accurately demonstrate procedures for measuring a radial and apical
pulse.
6. Describe characteristics to include when assessing respiration.
7. Discuss and accurately demonstrate procedure for measuring
respirations.
8. Differentiate between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
9. Discuss and demonstrate the two-step method used to measure blood
pressure.
10. Discuss the accurate assessment, recording and reporting of vital
signs.

Assisting with Nutrition

Required readings & videos:

Cobbett, S. L., Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., Ostendorf, W. R., & Laplante, N.
(2024). Perry & Potter’s Canadian Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques
(2nd ed.). Elsevier Inc:
• Chapter 2
o Procedural Guideline 2.1 Monitoring Intake and Output (pages
217-219)
• Chapter 31
o Skill 31.2 Assisting an Adult Patient with Oral Nutrition (pages
891-897)
Clinical Skills: Skills for LPN/LVN Collection (Evolve online database):
• Nutrition and Fluids
o Assisting with Meals
o Taking Aspiration Precautions
o Measuring Intake and Output
Objectives Include:
1. Demonstrate ability to assist client with meal preparation and feeding.
2. Discuss factors that impact the safety of client throughout the eating
process.
3. List risk factors for aspiration.
4. Discuss different types of food preparation that may be used to
facilitate nutritional intake.
5. Discuss factors that affect appetite.

Specimen Collection

Required readings & videos:

Cobbett, S. L., Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., Ostendorf, W. R., & Laplante, N.
(2024). Perry & Potter’s Canadian Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques
(2nd ed.). Elsevier Inc:
• Chapter 9
o Skill 9.1 Urine Specimen Collection: Midstream (Clean-Voided) and
Sterile Urinary
Catheter (pages 226-232)
o Procedural Guideline 9.1 Collecting a Timed Urine Specimen (pages
232-233)
o Procedural Guideline 9.2 Urine Screening for Glucose, Ketones,
Protein, Blood, and pH (pages 233-234)
o Skill 9.2 Measuring Occult Blood in Stool (pages 234-237)
o Skill 9.3 Measuring Occult Blood in Gastric Secretions (Gastroccult)
(pages 238-240)
o Skill 9.4 Collecting Nose and Throat Specimens for Culture (pages
240-244)
o Procedural Guideline 9.3 Collecting a Sputum Specimen by
Expectoration (page 247)
o Skill 9.6 Collecting a Sputum Specimen by Suction (pages 247-251)
o Skill 9.7 Obtaining Wound Specimens for Culture (pages 251-253)
Clinical Skills: Skills for LPN/LVN Collection (Evolve online database):
• Specimen Collection
o Collecting a Midstream Urine Specimen
o Performing Fecal Occult Blood Testing
o Collecting a Sputum Specimen
o Collecting a Specimen for Wound Culture
o Screening for Chemical Properties
Objectives Include:
1. Demonstrate ability to collect swab samples for culture and sensitivity.
2. Describe the procedure for collection of urine sample for culture and
sensitivity.
3. Describe the procedure for collection of a sputum sample for culture
and sensitivity.
4. Describe the procedure for the collection of a throat swab for culture
and sensitivity.
5. Describe the procedure for the collection of wound drainage for culture
and sensitivity.
6. Describe the procedure for the collection of stool samples.

Non-Sterile Dressings, Topical Creams & Ointments, and

Therapeutic Use of Cold & Heat

Required readings & videos:

Cobbett, S. L., Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., Ostendorf, W. R., & Laplante, N.
(2025). Perry & Potter’s Canadian Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques
(2nd ed.). Elsevier Inc:
• Chapter 21
o Skill 21.3 Applying Topical Medications to the Skin (pages 575-581)
• Chapter 40
o Skill 40.1 Applying a Dry Dressing (pages 1133-1142)
• Chapter 41
o Skill 41.1 Application of Moist Heat (Compress and Sitz Bath) (pages
1164-1170)
o Skill 41.2 Application of Aquathermia and Dry Heat (pages 1115-
1173)
o Skill 41.3 Application of Cold (pages 1174-1177)
Clinical Skills: Skills for LPN/LVN Collection (Evolve online database):
• Lab demonstration
Objectives Include:
1. Identify the purpose for the use of hot packs and cold packs.
2. Demonstrate the ability to apply non-sterile dressings.
3. Discuss your scope practice in regard to wounds and dressings.
4. Discuss the technique and rational for applying various topical
treatments.
5. Demonstrate the ability to apply a cream or ointment.
6. Demonstrate the ability to document using a treatment sheet.

Urinary and Bowel Elimination

Required readings & videos:

Cobbett, S. L., Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., Ostendorf, W. R., & Laplante, N.
(2025). Perry & Potter’s Canadian Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques
(2nd ed.). Elsevier Inc:
• Chapter 21
o Skill 21.10 Administering Rectal Suppositories (pages 610-614)
• Chapter 34
o Procedural Guideline 34.1 Assisting With Use of a Urinal (pages 958-
959)
o Skill 34.2 Care and Removal of an in-dwelling Catheter (pages 971-
976)
o Skill 34.5 Applying a Condom-Type External Catheter (pages 984-987)
• Chapter 35
o Skill 35.1 Providing a Bedpan (pages 998-1003)
o Skill 35.2 Removing Fecal Impaction Digitally (pages 1003-1007)
o Skill 35.3 Administering an Enema (pages 1007-1012)
• Chapter 36
o Procedural Guideline 36.1 Pouching a Colostomy or an Ileostomy
(pages 1026-1032)
Clinical Skills: Skills for LPN/LVN Collection (Evolve online database):
• Elimination assistance
o Assisting with a Bedpan
o Assisting with a Urinal
o Applying a Condom Catheter
o Providing Catheter Care
o Inserting a Rectal Medication
• Ostomy care
o Pouching a Colostomy
Objectives Include:
1. Provide privacy to clients to promote elimination.
2. Identify factors that may impact urinary and bowel elimination.
3. Demonstrate correct technique for providing indwelling catheter care.
4. Discuss risk factors for and signs of infection in a client with an
indwelling catheter.
5. Demonstrate correct technique for applying condom drainage.
6. Demonstrate safe procedure for assisting a client to a commode
7. Demonstrate proper technique for assisting a client with a bedpan and
a urinal
8. Discuss the indications for the administration of a suppository and/or an
enema.
9. Identify commonly used suppositories and enemas.
10. Discuss the potential adverse effects for a client receiving a bowel aid.
11. Identify the equipment necessary for the administration of a
suppository and/or an enema.
12. Demonstrate proper technique when administering a suppository
and/or an enema.
13. Discuss the care necessary for a client with an ostomy.
14. Describe proper technique for emptying and cleaning an ostomy.
15. Discuss the technique for fecal digital disimpaction.

Range-of-Motion [ROM]

Required readings & videos:

Cobbett, S. L., Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., Ostendorf, W. R., & Laplante, N.
(2025). Perry & Potter’s Canadian Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques
(2nd ed.). Elsevier Inc:
• Chapter 12
o Procedural Guideline 12.1 Performing Range-of-Motion Exercises
(pages 310-315)
o Procedural Guideline 12.2 Applying Graduated Compression (Elastic)
Stocking and
Sequential Compression Device (pages 316-319)
Clinical Skills: Skills for LPN/LVN Collection (Evolve online database):
• Safe Patient Handling
o Performing with Range-of-Motion Exercises
Objectives Include:
1. Demonstrate the ability to maintain proper body mechanics during ROM
exercises with a client.
2. Discuss the benefits of exercise and potential effects of immobility on
body systems.
3. Identify factors influencing a client’s activity level.
4. Discuss the process in determining client activity-exercise pattern, level
of ability, limitations,
activity tolerance and potential problems related to immobility.
5. Define: Active, Passive and Active-Assisted Range-of-Motion.
6. Demonstrate correct procedure for supporting client limbs during ROM
exercises to reduce risk for injury or discomfort.
7. Develop interventions for a client experiencing mobility problems.
 Positioning

Required readings & videos:

Cobbett, S. L., Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., Ostendorf, W. R., & Laplante, N.
(2025). Perry & Potter’s Canadian Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques
(2nd ed.). Elsevier Inc:
• Chapter 11
o Skill 11.1 Using Safe and Effective Transfer Techniques (pages 280-
290)
o Procedural guideline 11.1 Wheelchair Transfer Techniques (pages 291-
292)
o Skill 11.2 Moving and Positioning Patients in Bed (pages 292-300)
• Chapter 18
o Skill 18.6 Making an Occupied Bed (pages 509-513)
Clinical Skills: Skills for LPN/LVN Collection (Evolve online database):
• Safe Patient Handling
o Assisting with Moving and Positioning a Patient in Bed
Objectives Include:
1. Demonstrate proper body mechanics when positioning, moving, or
lifting a client.
2. Discuss the effects of repositioning and immobility on body systems.
3. Identify factors impacting a client’s body alignment and position while
in bed.
4. Discuss assessment process in determining level of mobility, potential
or actual positioning problems, and comfort preferences.
5. Demonstrate correct technique for turning client in bed.
6. Demonstrate correct positioning technique, inclusive of the use of
positioning pillows and supports as needed by the individual client.