NICU Skills Checklist

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Directions for Completing Skills Checklist


The following is a list of equipment and/or procedures performed in rendering care to patients. Please indicate the level of experience/proficiency with each and, where applicable, the types of equipment and/or systems with which you are familiar.

Use the following KEY as a guideline:
A) Theory Only/No Experience - Didactic instruction only, no hands-on experience.
B) Limited Experience - Knows procedure/has used equipment, but has done so infrequently or not within the last six months.
C) Moderate Experience - Able to demonstrate equipment/procedure, performs the task/skill independently with only resource assistance needed.
D) Proficient/Competent - Able to demonstrate/perform the task/skill proficiently without any assistance and can instruct/teach.

Cardiovascular

ABCD
Auscultation (rate, rhythm, volume)
Blood pressure/invasive (arterial line)
Blood pressure/non-invasive
Heart sounds/murmurs
Perfusion
Pulses
ABCD
EKG interpretation
Defibrillation/cardioversion
Invasive hemodynamic monitoring
Central venous pressure
ABCD
Cardiac arrest
Congenital heart disease/defects
Hemodynamic instability
Hypovolemic shock
Post cardiac surgery
Post interventional cardiac cath
ABCD
Dobutamine
Dopamine
Epinephrine
Nipride
Sodium bicarbonate

PULMONARY

ABCD
Breath sounds
Rate and work of breathing
ABCD
Blood gases
Interpretation of x-ray reports
ABCD
Assist with intubation
Bulb syringe
CPAP (nasal prongs)
Endotracheal tube stabilization
Endotracheal tube suctioning
In-line suction
Open ET catheter suction
Extubation
Intubation
Nasal airway/suctioning
Tracheostomy/suctioning
Apnea monitor
Nasal cannula
Nebulizer
Oxyhood
Tent
Trach collar
Use of artificial surfactant
CPAP/PEEP
High frequency jet ventilator
Home ventilator
IMV
Oscillating
Pressure ventilator
Volume ventilator
Weaning
ABCD
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)
Cardiogenic/hypovolemic shock
Diabetes mellitus
Diaphragmatic hernia
Drug addiction/withdrawal
Fresh tracheostomy
Meconium aspiration
Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN)
Pneumothorax
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
Systemic infection
Respiratory failure
Tetralogy of fallot
ABCD
Aminophylline
Prostaglandin

NEUROLOGICAL

ABCD
Intracranial pressure monitoring
Neurological status
ABCD
Brain death/organ procurement
Externalized VP shunt/reservoirs
Increased intracranial pressure
Seizures
ABCD

GASTROINTESTINAL

ABCD
Abdominal girth
Bowel sounds
Palate
Suck/swallow
ABCD
Care of gastrostomy tube
Feedings
Assist with breast feeding
Bottle
Breast milk handling/storage
Gavage
Hospital grade electric breast pump
Placement of intestinal tubes
Jejunal gastro
Nasogastric/orogastric
Test for occult blood
ABCD
Cleft palate
Colostomy/ileostomy
Gastroschisis/omphalocele
GI bleeding
Inguinal hernia
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
Post abdominal surgery
Reflux precautions
Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF)

ENDOCRINE/METABOLIC

ABCD
Finnegan
Fluid & electrolyte balance
ABCD
Bilirubin
Test urine and interpret
Labstix
Occult blood
pH
Specific gravity
ABCD
Collection of urine specimens
Assist with supra pubic tap
Catheter
Diaper/bag
Phototherapy for jaundice
Post circumcision care
ABCD
Acute renal failure
DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation)
Disorders of internal/external organs
Drug addiction/withdrawal
Hypo/hyperkalemia
Hypo/hypernatremia
IDDM (infant of a diabetic mother)Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia
Hypoglycemia
Malformations of the GU tract, kidney
Peritoneal dialysis

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

ABCD
CBC/differential
Culture reports
Maternal lab results
ABCD
Assist with lumbar puncture
Collect culture specimens
Isolation techniques
Standard (universal) precautions
ABCD
Hepatitis surface antigen+ mother
HIV positive mother
Neonatal sepsis
ABCD
HBIG
HBV
HIB
Polio
DPT
RespiGam/synergis prophylaxis

PHLEBOTOMY/IV THERAPY

ABCD
Administration of blood/blood products
Cryoprecipitate
Packed red blood cells
Plasma/albumin
Whole blood
Delivery systems
IV pump
Syringe pump
Drawing blood from central line
Drawing venous blood
Hyperalimentation/TPN
Intralipid
Managing IV therapy
Starting IVs
Angiocath
Butterfly
Heparin lock
ABCD
Central line/catheter/dressing
Broviac
Groshong
Hickman
Portacath
Quinton
Percutaneous arterial line
Percutaneous venous line
Peripheral line/dressing
PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter)
Umbilical artery line
Umbilical venous line

PAIN MANAGEMENT

ABCD
ABCD

MISCELLANEOUS

ABCD
Apgar scoring
Eye exam (r/o retinopathy)
Gestational age
Ballard
Dubowitz
Maternal history
Screen for hearing loss
ABCD
Bereavement/postmortem care
Consents
Procedural
Treatment
Cord care
Neonatal skin care
Positioning devices
Preparation for transport/transfer
Thermoregulation
Isolette with humidity
Radiant warmer
Temperature (axillary, rectal, skin)
Weaning to open crib/bassinet
Weights
Bed scale
Scale
ABCD
Calculation of dosage
Emergency drug action & reaction
Eye prophylaxis - Vitamin K
Neonatal drug action & reactions

JCAHO

ABCD

Age Specific:

ABCD
Infant (Birth to 1 year)
Toddler (1-3 years)
Pre-school (3-6 years)
School Age (6-12 years)
Adolescent ( 12-18 years)
Young Adult ( 18-30 years)
Mature Adult (30-60 years)
Elderly (>60 years)
MM slash DD slash YYYY