What are the daily tasks of a pediatric nurse?
Pediatric nurses are responsible for providing care and medical attention to infants, children and adolescents. They use their specialized knowledge to meet all the special needs of children.
In addition, they may work with patients with injuries or illness, as well as children with motor impairments. Therefore, pediatric nurses often work and communicate with the children’s families and caregivers to continue to maintain proper care at home.
Daily tasks
Pediatric nurses must establish a plan of care, as well as care for their patients. Some of the daily tasks performed by this staff include the following:
- Calm patients by reducing their anxiety and confusion.
- Perform a pre-examination in order to identify each patient’s needs, illnesses and general condition.
- Record and monitor blood pressure, temperature, measure pulse, respiratory rate and examine general health.
- Perform electrocardiograms or take blood, urine, stool and other samples.
- Fill out medical questionnaires, checklists and write down all symptoms, as well as any relevant observations.
- Assist physicians during evaluations, surgeries and other procedures in order to cooperate while providing a safe environment for the children.
- Provide appropriate care for each patient, as well as attention to their safety and comfort.
- Administer prescribed medications orally or intravenously and ensure compliance with treatments.
- Apply and change bandages or dressings.
- Monitor and operate medical equipment.
- Have an accurate and detailed record of each patient.
- Document, monitor, evaluate and report symptoms and any changes in patients.
- Provide appropriate follow-up care for each patient.
- Promote preventive health measures.
- Perform quality control of equipment by ensuring that equipment is calibrated and clean.
- Ensure that the inventory of supplies is organized and complete.
- Assist with disassembly and removal of medical equipment.
- Ensure safety standards are met by taking appropriate preventative measures, thus avoiding potential infections and contamination.
- Make patients’ beds.
- Assisting patients with toileting, bathing and dressing.
- Feeding patients.
In conclusion, the list of daily tasks for pediatric nurses is quite long and complex, all with the goal of providing patients with the best care during their care.