1. IntroductionCharles Docherty and Jacqueline McCallum 2. Mandatory skills 2.1. Communication, William McDonald 2.2. Moving and Handling, Valerie Ness 2.3. Therapeutic Management of Aggression and Violence, Ken Taylor 2.4. Infection prevention and control, Claire McGuinness 2.5. Resuscitation, Elizabeth Simpson 2.6. Administration of medicines, Claire McGuiness and Valerie Ness 3. Maintaining a safe environmentJayne Donaldson and Valerie Ness 3.1. Falls prevention and risk assessment 3.2. Skin assessment 3.3. Pain assessment 3.4. Neurological assessment 3.5. Early warning signs for critical illness 4. CommunicatingWilliam McDonald 4.1. Verbal and nonverbal communication skills 4.2. Listening and observation skills 4.3. Engaging skills 4.4. Interviews and questioning 4.5. Written communication 4.6. Telephone communication 4.7. The context in which communication occurs 5. BreathingJacqueline McCallum and Ellen Malcolm 5.1. Assessment of breathing 5.2. Positioning the patient to facilitate breathing 5.3. Using oxygen therapy to facilitate the patient's breathing 5.4. Observation of cough and sputum 6. Eating and drinkingJacqueline McCallum and Bridget Reade 6.1. Nutritional assessment 6.2. Assistance with eating 6.3. Providing special diets 6.4. Caring for a patient suffering from vomiting or nausea 6.5. Fluid balance 7. EliminatingMary Ballentyne and Valerie Ness 7.1. Assessment 7.2. Urinalysis 7.3. Catheter care 7.4. Assisting patients to use bedpans, commodes and urinals 7.5. Collecting stool specimens and testing for faecal occult blood 8. Personal cleansing and dressingCharles Docherty, Kirsteen Lang and John Timmins 8.1. Skin care 8.2. Showering and bathing 8.3. Washing a patient in bed 8.4. Shaving 8.5. Hair care 8.6. Eye care 8.7. Mouth care 8.8. Dressing 8.9. Wound assessment 8.10. Aseptic technique 8.11. Removal of sutures, staples and clips 8.12. Total patient care 9. Controlling body temperatureElizabeth Simpson, Valerie Ness, Claire McGuiness and William McDonald 9.1. Assessing body temperature 9.2. Facilitating the control of body temperature 10. MobilizingValerie Ness and John Murray 10.1. Patient assessment 10.2. Recognizing and preventing the major complications of immobility 10.3. Recognizing and selecting common handling aids 10.4. Practical handling of bedbound patients 10.5. Positioning the patient in a chair 10.6. Performing a range of motion exercises 10.7. Managing more complex mobilizing needs 11. Working and playingPeter Johnstone 11.1. Assessing developmental stage for play 11.2. Selecting suitable play and recreational activities for patients 12. DyingLinda Loftus 12.1. Communication with the patient and relatives 12.2. Communication skills in assessing the patient with advanced disease 12.3. Oral care 12.4. Assessment and management of pain 12.5. Last offices