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Respiratory assessment for registered nurses using a systematic approach: the RIPPAS framework
William Kavanagh-Brown1, Heather Reid1, Edward Baker2
1Trainee advanced clinical practitioner, King's College Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust.
Abstract:
Systematic assessment of the respiratory system is an important skill for both the identification of pertinent patient symptoms and for the evaluation of care provided. Although this assessment has historically been performed by advanced clinical practitioners in the community setting, since 2019, the Nursing and Midwifery Council made it a required skill for its new registrants and all nursing students in the UK. Students and existing registered nurses are expected to upskill and embed these advanced physical assessment techniques within their daily clinical practice. This article provides a theoretical overview of the systematic respiratory assessment process using the RIPPAS mnemonic, enabling practitioners to develop the required knowledge and skills. Through ongoing learning, clinical practice, regular consolidation and clinical supervision, RIPPAS can then be embedded into clinical practice for all registered nurses.
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01:23Assessment of Respiration
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