Chapter 2 - The Interprofessional Team - Fundamentals Flashcards
RNs and practical nurses (PNs) are integral members of
the inter-professional health care team.
Each discipline represented on an interprofessional team uses a
set of skills within the scope of practice for the specific profession.
In some instances, the scope of practice for one discipline
overlaps with the scope of practice or set of skills for another profession.
For example, the nurse and the respiratory care therapist both possess the knowledge and skill to perform chest physiotherapy (using postural drainage,
percussion, and vibration to promote drainage of secretions from the lungs)
The interprofessional health care team works collaboratively to provide
holistic care to clients.
The nurse is most often the
manager of care and must understand the roles and responsibilities of
other health care team members to collaborate and make appropriate referrals.
INTERPROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL (NON‑NURSING)
- spirit support staff
- registered dietitian
- lab tech
- occupational therapist
- pharmacist
- physical therapist
- provider
- radiology tech
- respiratory therapist
- social worker
- speech language pathologist
Spiritual support staff:
Provides spiritual care (pastors, rabbis, priests).
Example of when to refer: A client requests communion, or the family asks for prayer prior to the client undergoing a procedure.
Registered dietitian:
Assesses, plans for, and educates regarding nutrition needs. Designs special diets, and supervises meal preparation.
Example of when to refer: A client has a low albumin level and recently had an unexplained weight loss.
Laboratory technician:
Obtains specimens of body fluids, and performs diagnostic tests.
Example of when to refer: A provider needs to see a client’s complete blood
count (CBC) results immediately.
Occupational therapist:
Assesses and plans for clients to regain activities of daily living (ADL) skills, especially motor skills of the upper extremities.
Example of when to refer: A client has difficulties using an eating utensil with
their dominant hand following a stroke.
Pharmacist:
Provides, monitors, and evaluates medication. Supervises pharmacy technicians in states that allow this practice.
Example of when to refer: A client is concerned about a new medication’s interactions with any of their other medications.
Physical therapist:
Assesses and plans for clients to increase musculoskeletal function, especially of the lower extremities, to maintain mobility.
Example of when to refer: Following hip arthroplasty, a client requires assistance
learning to ambulate and regain strength.
Provider:
Assesses, diagnoses, and treats disease and injury. Providers include medical doctors (MDs), doctors of osteopathy (DOs), advanced practice nurses (APNs),
and physician assistants (PAs). State regulations vary in their requirements for supervision of APNs and PAs by a physician (MDs and DOs).
Example of when to refer: A client has a temperature of 39º C (102.2º F), is achy
and shaking, and reports feeling cold
Radiologic technologist:
Positions clients and performs x-rays and other imaging procedures for providers to review for diagnosis of disorders of various body parts.
Example of when to refer: A client reports severe pain in their hip after a fall, and the provider prescribes an x‑ray of the client’s hip.
Respiratory therapist:
Evaluates respiratory status and provides respiratory treatments including oxygen therapy, chest physiotherapy, inhalation therapy, and mechanical ventilation.
Example of when to refer: A client who has respiratory disease is short of breath
and requests a nebulizer treatment.
Social worker:
Works with clients and families by coordinating inpatient and community resources to meet psychosocial and environmental needs that are necessary
for recovery and discharge.
Example of when to refer: A client who has terminal cancer wishes to go home but is no longer able to perform many ADLs. The client’s partner needs
medical equipment in the home to care for the client
Speech-language pathologist:
Evaluates and makes recommendations regarding the impact of disorders or
injuries on speech, language, and swallowing. Teaches techniques and exercises to improve function.
Example of when to refer: A client is having difficulty swallowing a regular diet after trauma to the head and neck.
The nursing team works together to
advocate for and meet the needs of clients within the health care delivery system.
The RN is the lead team member, soliciting
input from all nursing team members and setting priorities for the
coordination of client care
RN EDUCATIONAL PREP
● Must meet the state board of nursing’s requirements for licensure.
● Requires completion of a diploma program, an associate degree, or a baccalaureate degree in nursing prior to taking the licensure exam (licensed).
RN ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
● Function legally under state nurse practice acts.
● Perform assessments; establish nursing diagnoses, goals, and interventions; and conduct ongoing client evaluations.
● Develop interprofessional plans for client care.
● Share appropriate information among team members; initiate referrals for client assistance, including health education; and identify community resources
Practical nurse (PN)
EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION
● Must meet the state board of nursing’s requirements
● Requires vocational or community college education prior to taking the licensure exam (licensed)
Practical nurse (PN)
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
● Work under the supervision of the RN.
● Collaborate within the nursing process, assist with the plan of care, consult with other team members, and recognize the need for referrals to assist with actual or
potential problems.
● Possess technical knowledge and skills.
● Participate in the delivery of nursing care, using the nursing process as a framework
Assistive personnel (AP)
This includes certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and certified medical assistants (CMAs), and non‑nursing personnel (dialysis technicians, monitor technicians,
and phlebotomists).
