Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies
Published on: January 16, 2019
Clinical skills for nurses in medical assessment units
1lisa.carroll@uhns.nhs.uk
Aim:
To identify the skills possessed by nurses working in medical assessment units (MAUs) and those that are needed to enable them to undertake a detailed, holistic assessment of the patient.
Method:
A qualitative study was undertaken using mixed methods to obtain data. A postal survey using Delphi methodology was sent to a group of advanced nurse practitioners educated at master's degree level. Four focus groups were conducted with 38 qualified nurses working in a MAU.
Findings:
The first round of the Delphi survey identified 27 skills deemed pertinent to nurses working in this setting. A second round resulted in 11 skills and a further five skills for the most senior nurses were identified by the postal survey participants. Focus groups also identified skills that nurses working in MAUs should possess. There was widespread agreement between participants that the degree of expertise pertaining to each skill would be dependent on their experience in the clinical area and would reflect their seniority.
Conclusion:
There is broad agreement between a body of expert opinion and staff working in a MAU that there are core skills nurses working in MAUs should possess. The author plans to use the results of the study to develop future training in the MAU.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Nursing Assessment
The nurse collects all aspects of the patient's health in the initial assessment, establishing priorities for ongoing focused assessments and...
Data Collection III
The principles to begin the physical assessment include conducting a comprehensive or problem-related history in a quiet, well-lit room, emphasizing privacy and comfort for the patient.
Nursing Process for Patient and Caregiver Teaching I: Assessment and Diagnosis
It is critical to determine the patient's learning needs during the assessment. Determination of learning needs compounds data from the...
Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...
Assessment of apical radial pulse
The A-R pulse assessment involves simultaneous evaluation of the apical and radial pulses. When the apical and radial pulse rates vary, this assessment helps identify a pulse deficit.
Pre-Procedural Preparation
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
