Potter & Ostendorf’s Pocket Guide to Nursing Skills & Procedures
- 11th Edition - April 10, 2026
- Latest edition
- Authors: Anne G. Perry, Patricia A. Potter, Wendy R. Ostendorf, Nancy Laplante
- Language: English
Potter & Ostendorf's Pocket Guide to Nursing Skills & Procedures is a concise, portable study tool and clinical reference based on the best-selling textbook Clinic… Read more
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Potter & Ostendorf's Pocket Guide to Nursing Skills & Procedures is a concise, portable study tool and clinical reference based on the best-selling textbook Clinical Nursing Skills & Techniques, 11th Edition. This reference presents more than 85 key nursing skills in a convenient, A-to-Z format. Step-by-step instructions include full-color photos, plus rationales explaining why and how to use specific techniques to help you troubleshoot potential problems and take appropriate actions to address them. With the latest in evidence-based practice, this essential guide is a great tool to help you safely and effectively perform core nursing skills.
- Authoritative content corresponds to the most recent edition of Clinical Nursing Skills & Techniques, making this a quick, handy skills resource that matches the core text
- Clear, concise two-column format with rationales for each skill step provides the “what” and the “why” for each skill
- Gloving logo embedded in the skills steps helps you identify circumstances when clean gloves should be applied, or gloves should be changed before proceeding to the next step of the skill
- Safety Alerts within the skills highlight important information for patient safety and effective performance of the skill
- Special Considerations, including content for teaching, pediatric and geriatric patients, and home care settings, raise awareness of additional risks or accommodations needed when caring for patients in these populations
- Documentation Guidelines provide bulleted lists of what should be documented in the patient records
- Unexpected Outcomes/Related Interventions offer troubleshooting information for common problems that may develop when performing a skill, with appropriate actions to take
- Straightforward, A-to-Z organization makes it easy to quickly locate each skill
- Convenient pocket format — including a spiral binding, a back cover flap for bookmarking, and a compact trim size — allows the book to lay flat and be kept on relevant pages for quick reference
- User-friendly design features simple, effective layout techniques, such as having each skill begin on a new page, to reduce confusion and make navigating content easier
Nursing students in 2-year and 4-year programs
1. Acapella Device Skill
2. Aquathermia and Heating Pads Skill
3. Aspiration Precautions Skill
4. Assistive Device Ambulation (Use of Crutches, Cane, and Walker) Skill
5. Automated External Defibrillator B Skill
6. Bladder Volume Measurement Skill
7. Blood Administration Skill
8. Blood Pressure by Auscultation: Upper Extremities, Lower Exremities, Palpation Skill
9. Blood Glucose Testing Skill
10. Blood Pressure: Automatic C Skill
11. Cardiac Monitor: Applying Skill
12. Central Venous Access Device Care: Central Venous Catheter, Ports Skill
13. Chest Tube Care Skill
14. Cold Applications Skill
15. Condom Catheter Skill
16. Continuous Passive Motion Machine Skill
17. Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion D Skill
18. Dressings: Dry and Moist-to-Dry Skill
19. Dressings: Hydrocolloid, Hydrogel, Foam, or Alginate Skill
20. Dressings: Transparent E Skill
21. Ear Drop Administration Skill
22. Ear Irrigations Skill
23. Electrocardiogram: Obtaining A 12-Lead Electrocardiogram Skill
24. Enemas Skill
25. Enteral Nutrition via a Gastrostomy or Jejunostomy Tube Skill
26. Enteral Nutrition via a Nasoenteric Feeding Tube Skill
27. Epidural Analgesia Skill
28. Eye Irrigation Skill
29. Eye Medications: Drops and Ointment F Skill
30. Fall Prevention in a Health Care Facility Skill
31. Fecal Impaction: Removing Digitally H Skill
32. Hypothermia and Hyperthermia Blankets I Skill
33. Using Incentive Spirometry Skill
34. Intradermal Injections Skill
35. Intramuscular Injections Skill
36. Intravenous Medications: Intermittent Infusion Sets and Mini-Infusion Pumps Skill
37. Intravenous Medications: Intravenous Bolus Skill
38. Isolation Precautions M Skill
39. Mechanical Lifts Skill
40. Metered-Dose Inhalers Skill
41. Moist Heat (Compress and Sitz Bath) Skill
42. Mouth Care: Unconscious or Debilitated Patients N Skill
43. Nail and Foot Care Skill
44. Nasoenteral Tube: Placement and Irrigation Skill
45. Nasogastric Tube for Gastric Decompression: Insertion and Removal Skill
46. Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy O Skill
47. Oral Medications Skill
48. Oral Medications: Medication Administration Through an Enteral Feeding Tube Skill
49. Ostomy Care (Pouching) Skill
50. Oxygen Therapy: Nasal Cannula, Oxygen Mask, T Tube, or Tracheostomy Collar P Skill
51. Parenteral Medication Preparation: Ampules and Vials Skill
52. Parenteral Medications: Mixing Medications in One Syringe Skill
53. Patient-Controlled Analgesia Skill
54. Peripheral Intravenous Care: Dressing Care, Discontinuation Skill
55. Peripheral Intravenous Care: Regulating Intravenous Flow Rate, Changing Tubing and Solution Skill
56. Peripheral Intravenous Insertion Skill
57. Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Care Skill
58. Preoperative Teaching Skill
59. Pressure Bandages (Applying) Skill
60. Pressure Injury Risk Assessment Skill
61. Pressure Injury Treatment Skill
62. Pulse Oximetry R Skill
63. Rectal Suppository Insertion Skill
64. Respiration Assessment Skill
65. Restraint Application Skill
66. Restraint-Free Environment S Skill
67. Seizure Precautions Skill
68. Sequential Compression Device and Elastic Stockings Skill
69. Specialty Beds: Air-Fluidized, Air-Suspension, and Rotokinetic Skill
70. Sterile Gloving Skill
71. Sterile Technique: Donning and Removing Cap, Mask, and Protective Eyewear Skill
72. Subcutaneous Injections Skill
73. Suctioning: Closed (in-Line) Skill
74. Suctioning: Nasopharyngeal, Nasotracheal, and Artificial Airway Skill
75. Suprapubic Catheter Care Skill
76. Suture and Staple Removal T Skill
77. Topical Skin Applications Skill
78. Tracheostomy Care U Skill
79. Urinary Catheter Insertion Skill
80. Urinary Catheter Care and Removal Skill
81. Urinary Catheter Irrigation Skill
82. Urinary Diversion: Pouching an Incontinent Urinary Diversion V Skill
83. Vaginal Instillations Skill
84. Venipuncture: Collecting Blood Specimens and Cultures by Syringe and Vacutainer Method W Skill
85. Managing Wound Drainage Evacuation Skill
86. Wound Irrigation
Appendix: Overview of CDC Hand Hygiene Guidelines Bibliography
2. Aquathermia and Heating Pads Skill
3. Aspiration Precautions Skill
4. Assistive Device Ambulation (Use of Crutches, Cane, and Walker) Skill
5. Automated External Defibrillator B Skill
6. Bladder Volume Measurement Skill
7. Blood Administration Skill
8. Blood Pressure by Auscultation: Upper Extremities, Lower Exremities, Palpation Skill
9. Blood Glucose Testing Skill
10. Blood Pressure: Automatic C Skill
11. Cardiac Monitor: Applying Skill
12. Central Venous Access Device Care: Central Venous Catheter, Ports Skill
13. Chest Tube Care Skill
14. Cold Applications Skill
15. Condom Catheter Skill
16. Continuous Passive Motion Machine Skill
17. Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion D Skill
18. Dressings: Dry and Moist-to-Dry Skill
19. Dressings: Hydrocolloid, Hydrogel, Foam, or Alginate Skill
20. Dressings: Transparent E Skill
21. Ear Drop Administration Skill
22. Ear Irrigations Skill
23. Electrocardiogram: Obtaining A 12-Lead Electrocardiogram Skill
24. Enemas Skill
25. Enteral Nutrition via a Gastrostomy or Jejunostomy Tube Skill
26. Enteral Nutrition via a Nasoenteric Feeding Tube Skill
27. Epidural Analgesia Skill
28. Eye Irrigation Skill
29. Eye Medications: Drops and Ointment F Skill
30. Fall Prevention in a Health Care Facility Skill
31. Fecal Impaction: Removing Digitally H Skill
32. Hypothermia and Hyperthermia Blankets I Skill
33. Using Incentive Spirometry Skill
34. Intradermal Injections Skill
35. Intramuscular Injections Skill
36. Intravenous Medications: Intermittent Infusion Sets and Mini-Infusion Pumps Skill
37. Intravenous Medications: Intravenous Bolus Skill
38. Isolation Precautions M Skill
39. Mechanical Lifts Skill
40. Metered-Dose Inhalers Skill
41. Moist Heat (Compress and Sitz Bath) Skill
42. Mouth Care: Unconscious or Debilitated Patients N Skill
43. Nail and Foot Care Skill
44. Nasoenteral Tube: Placement and Irrigation Skill
45. Nasogastric Tube for Gastric Decompression: Insertion and Removal Skill
46. Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy O Skill
47. Oral Medications Skill
48. Oral Medications: Medication Administration Through an Enteral Feeding Tube Skill
49. Ostomy Care (Pouching) Skill
50. Oxygen Therapy: Nasal Cannula, Oxygen Mask, T Tube, or Tracheostomy Collar P Skill
51. Parenteral Medication Preparation: Ampules and Vials Skill
52. Parenteral Medications: Mixing Medications in One Syringe Skill
53. Patient-Controlled Analgesia Skill
54. Peripheral Intravenous Care: Dressing Care, Discontinuation Skill
55. Peripheral Intravenous Care: Regulating Intravenous Flow Rate, Changing Tubing and Solution Skill
56. Peripheral Intravenous Insertion Skill
57. Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Care Skill
58. Preoperative Teaching Skill
59. Pressure Bandages (Applying) Skill
60. Pressure Injury Risk Assessment Skill
61. Pressure Injury Treatment Skill
62. Pulse Oximetry R Skill
63. Rectal Suppository Insertion Skill
64. Respiration Assessment Skill
65. Restraint Application Skill
66. Restraint-Free Environment S Skill
67. Seizure Precautions Skill
68. Sequential Compression Device and Elastic Stockings Skill
69. Specialty Beds: Air-Fluidized, Air-Suspension, and Rotokinetic Skill
70. Sterile Gloving Skill
71. Sterile Technique: Donning and Removing Cap, Mask, and Protective Eyewear Skill
72. Subcutaneous Injections Skill
73. Suctioning: Closed (in-Line) Skill
74. Suctioning: Nasopharyngeal, Nasotracheal, and Artificial Airway Skill
75. Suprapubic Catheter Care Skill
76. Suture and Staple Removal T Skill
77. Topical Skin Applications Skill
78. Tracheostomy Care U Skill
79. Urinary Catheter Insertion Skill
80. Urinary Catheter Care and Removal Skill
81. Urinary Catheter Irrigation Skill
82. Urinary Diversion: Pouching an Incontinent Urinary Diversion V Skill
83. Vaginal Instillations Skill
84. Venipuncture: Collecting Blood Specimens and Cultures by Syringe and Vacutainer Method W Skill
85. Managing Wound Drainage Evacuation Skill
86. Wound Irrigation
Appendix: Overview of CDC Hand Hygiene Guidelines Bibliography
- Edition: 11
- Latest edition
- Published: April 10, 2026
- Language: English
AP
Anne G. Perry
Anne Griffin Perry, RN, MSN, EdD, FAAN is a Professor Emerita, School of Nursing, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor Emerita, School of Nursing, Southern Illinois University—Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois, USAPP
Patricia A. Potter
Patricia A. Potter, RN, MSN, PhD, FAAN is a Former Director of Research, Patient Care Services Barnes-Jewish Hospital St. Louis, Missouri.
Affiliations and expertise
Formerly, Director of Research, Patient Care Services, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, USAWO
Wendy R. Ostendorf
Wendy R. Ostendorf, Contributing Faculty, Masters of Science in Nursing, Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA,
Affiliations and expertise
Contributing Faculty, Masters of Science in Nursing, Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USANL
Nancy Laplante
Nancy Laplante is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Widener University, Chester, Pennsylvania, USA.
Affiliations and expertise
Associate Professor of Nursing, Widener University, Chester, Pennsylvania, USA