'How to...' clinical series

The 'How to...' series is a set of new clinical articles showcasing basic skills and key clinical procedures based on the fundamentals of nursing care.

Articles

How to insert a nasogastric tube and check gastric position at the bedside
A nasogastric tube (NG tube) can be used to aspirate stomach contents or to administer feed, medication or fluid into the stomach.
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How to care for a patient after death in the community
This article provides nurses with information about how to care for a patient after death, and support their family and loved ones in the community setting.
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How to remove an endotracheal tube
The decision to remove an endotracheal tube (extubation) is taken when the patient achieves adequate airway control. This requires an effective cough and an acceptable level of consciousness.
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How to perform open tracheal suction via an endotracheal tube
Tracheal suction involves the removal of pulmonary secretions from the respiratory tract using negative pressure under sterile conditions.
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How to inform relatives and loved ones of a patient’s death
Informing relatives and loved ones of a patient’s death is a sensitive and often stressful task frequently undertaken by nurses.
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How to care for a patient after death in hospital
This article provides nurses with information about how to care for a patient after death and support their family in the hospital setting.
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How to perform transrectal ultrasound and prostate biopsy
This article aims to help nurses to support patients who require a prostate biopsy to diagnose or exclude prostate cancer. Nurses will also gain an understanding of the procedure for transrectal biopsy.
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How to alleviate perineal pain following an episiotomy
An episiotomy increases maternal morbidity in the postnatal period. Alleviating perineal pain is an important aspect of maternal health care.
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How to perform a tracheostomy dressing and inner cannula change
Proactive tracheostomy management increases patient safety and reduces adverse events.
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How to manage an arterial catheter
This article provides nurses with information on the safe and effective use and management of arterial catheters, the gold standard for accurate blood pressure measurement and routine serial blood gas sampling in critical care. Arterial catheters are used when real-time blood pressure monitoring is required, such as when there is a risk of significant blood loss.
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How to suction via a tracheostomy
Patients with a tracheostomy tube may be unable to cough adequately to expel pulmonary secretions. Therefore, tracheal suction is essential in managing secretions and maintaining respiratory function and a patent airway.
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How to manage an arterial catheter
This article provides nurses with information on the safe and effective use and management of arterial catheters, the gold standard for accurate blood pressure measurement and routine serial blood gas sampling in critical care.
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How to apply vacuum-assisted closure therapy
This article aims to provide an overview of the technique for applying vacuum-assisted closure therapy (V.A.C. therapy), using the example of one of the most basic dressing types: V.A.C. GranuFoam, a black polyurethane foam. Practitioners should refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for application of other dressing types.
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How to remove a pulmonary artery catheter
This article aims to help nurses to undertake the removal of pulmonary artery (PA) catheters in a safe manner.
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How to repair an episiotomy
Skilful repair of an episiotomy is an important aspect of maternal health care. It is essential that midwives and doctors have the knowledge and skills to undertake this procedure in a safe and effective manner.
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How to perform an episiotomy
An episiotomy may be necessary to assist some women to give birth. An episiotomy is a surgical incision intentionally made to increase the diameter of the vulval outlet to enable childbirth.
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How to perform irrigation of the eye
This article aims to help nurses to understand the importance of performing irrigation immediately following chemical injury to the eye, and outlines the most effective technique.
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How to monitor blood glucose
Capillary blood glucose monitoring is an essential component of diabetes care. 
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How to measure blood pressure manually
This article aims to help nurses to measure blood pressure (BP) manually using an aneroid sphygmomanometer.
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How to perform first aid
This article aims to help nurses to perform first aid in a safe, effective and patient-centred manner. First aid comprises a series of simple, potentially life-saving steps that an individual can perform with minimal equipment.
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How to use a self-inflating bag and face mask
This article aims to help nurses to open and maintain an adult’s airway while providing breaths using a self-inflating bag and face mask. Maintaining a patient’s airway is vital in the management of acute, life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
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How to remove a non-tunnelled central venous catheter
This article aims to help nurses to undertake the removal of non-tunnelled central venous catheters (CVCs) in a safe, effective and patient-centred manner. A non-tunnelled CVC is inserted directly into a central vein with its tip usually located in the vena cava or right atrium.
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How to perform basic life support
This article aims to help practitioners refresh their knowledge of basic life support (BLS) supplementary to annual mandatory training.
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How to administer an enema
This article aims to help nurses to undertake the administration of enemas in a safe, effective and patient-centred manner, ensuring privacy and dignity.
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How to examine an eye
This article aims to assist nurses to perform a systematic external examination of the eye with the minimum of equipment. The eyes form a complex anatomical system, about which nurses often lack confidence.
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How to perform chest compressions
This article outlines the correct and effective technique for performing chest compressions for adults in cardiac arrest. Correct performance of chest compressions relies on various factors that are within the control of the nurse. Therefore, it is essential that nurses have comprehensive knowledge of this vital skill.
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How to assess deteriorating patients
This article aims to help practitioners to undertake the assessment of deteriorating patients using a standardised ABCDE (airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure) approach that allows the practitioner to assess the patient in a structured and timely manner, and to identify the specific needs of the patient using the look, listen and feel method.
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How to check the arterial pulse
This article aims to help healthcare professionals to check the arterial pulse. It focuses on the radial pulse, and also briefly considers the brachial and carotid pulses.
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How to remove a tracheostomy tube
The decision to remove a tracheostomy tube from the trachea (decannulation) is taken when the patient achieves adequate airway control. This requires a strong cough, minimal respiratory support and an acceptable level of consciousness.
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How to administer intramuscular injections
This article aims to help nurses to administer intramuscular injections in a safe, effective and patient-centred manner. Following administration of an intramuscular injection, the patient should be observed for a period of time to reduce any risk of harm.
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How to perform respiratory assessment
This article aims to assist practitioners to perform a respiratory assessment.
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How to remove a chest drain
This article aims to help nurses to undertake the removal of a chest drain in a safe, effective and patient-centred manner. This procedure requires two practitioners. The chest drain will have been inserted aseptically to remove air, blood, fluid or pus from the pleural cavity.  This article aims to assist practitioners to perform a respiratory assessment.
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How to measure tracheostomy tube cuff pressure
This article explores the process and principles of measuring tracheostomy tube cuff pressure and the associated evidence base. It discusses the indications for tracheostomy tube cuff pressure measurement and identifies potential complications associated with the procedure.
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How to administer inotropic drugs
This article aims to help nurses to administer inotropic drugs in a safe, effective and patient-centred manner. The mode of action of inotropic drugs makes them well suited to treat haemodynamic compromise experienced by critically ill patients. Effects such as increased force of myocardial contraction and vasoconstriction make them highly potent.
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How to wash your hands effectively
This article describes when and how to wash your hands effectively. Healthcare-associated infections are a risk to patients and service users, and nurses have a duty of care to protect these individuals from preventable infections. Nurses should practise good infection prevention, the basis of which is effective hand hygiene.
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How to perform a urinalysis
This article aims to help nurses to undertake a urinalysis in a safe, timely, effective and patient-centred manner, ensuring privacy and dignity. Urinalysis is a common clinical procedure involving examination of urine to detect problems in the body.
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How to administer suppositories
This article aims to help nurses to undertake the administration of suppositories in a safe, effective and patient-centred manner, ensuring privacy and dignity. Inserting rectal suppositories, whether to administer medication or to achieve bowel evacuation, is a common practice in health care.
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More information

The series is available to everyone with a Nursing Standard subscription. Bookmark this page, as we will be gathering all the articles here to bring you a fantastic new resource collection.