Final answer:
A nurse during the assessment step is responsible for reviewing procedural details, ensuring that counts of materials are correct, specimens are labeled, and equipment is functioning. The nurse also assists in confirming patient identity and detailing anticipated critical events in conjunction with medical colleagues. In all tasks, accurate and thorough assessment by the nurse is crucial for patient safety and care.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the assessment step, a nurse plays a pivotal role in ensuring patient safety and the success of medical procedures. The nurse reviews items aloud with the team, confirming details such as the name of the procedure, completeness of needle, sponge, and instrument counts, and the correct labeling of any specimens with the patient's name. The nurse also checks for equipment issues and oversees the introduction of team members by name and role, confirmation of the patient's identity, surgical site, and procedure. Important factors like anticipated critical events are reviewed, where the surgeon discusses unexpected steps, operative duration, and anticipated blood loss, anesthesia staff review patient-specific concerns, and nursing staff confirm sterility and equipment availability.
In an emergency situation, the nurse's ability to rapidly assess neurological function is crucial for immediate and effective intervention. Within the scope of dialysis treatments, nurses assess and respond to patient needs and monitor the dialysis process, which includes taking and reporting vitals and preparing solutions and equipment to ensure accuracy and sterility. These activities are part of the broader observational and iterative processes that the nursing staff undertakes over the course of a patient's treatment, with the aim to achieve positive outcomes and determine next steps in care.