NICU Skills Checklist

Answer Key

1. No Experience 2. Requires Supervision 3. Proficient 4. Can Teach Others

Cardiovascular Skills

Rows	1	2	3	4
Auscultation (rate, rhythm, volume)
Blood pressure/invasive
Blood pressure/non-invasive
Heart sounds/murmurs
Perfusion
Pulses
EKG interpretation
Cardioversion/Defibrillation
Invasive hemodynamic monitoring
Central venous pressure
Cardiac arrest
Congenital heart disease/defects
Hemodynamic instability
Hypovolemic shock
Post cardiac surgery
Dobutamine
Dopamine
Epinephrine
Nipride
Sodium bicarbonate

Pulmonary Skills

Rows	1	2	3	4
Breath sounds
Rate and work of breathing
Apnea monitor use
Assist with intubation
Bulb syringe
CPAP (nasal cannula)
Endotracheal tube stabilation
Endotracheal tube suctioning
Extubation
Nasal airway/suctioning
Oral airway/suctioning
Tracheostomy care and suctioning
Chest tube insertion/removal/set-up
Oxygen therapy delivery systems
Anesthesia bag and mask
Self-inflating bag and mask
Nasal cannula
Nebulizer
Oxyhood
Tent
Trach collar
Arterial
Heelstick (Capillary)
Peripheral
Umbilical line
Interpretation of blood gases
Interpretation of blood gases
Thoracentesis
Use of artificial surfactant
CPAP/PEEP
High frequency jet ventilator
Home ventilator
IMV
Oscillating
Pressure ventilator
Volume ventilator
Weaning from ventilator
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)
Cardiogenic shock
Diaphragmatic hernia
Drug addiction/withdrawal
Fresh tracheostomy
Mechonium aspiration
Persistent pulmonary hypertension
Pneumothorax
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
Systemic infection
Respiratory failure
Tetralogy of fallot
Aminophylline
Prostaglandin

Neurological Skills

Rows	1	2	3	4
Assessment of neurological status
Intracranial pressure monitoring
Brain death/organ procurement
External VP shunts/reservoirs
Increased intracranial pressure
Seizures
Anticonvulsant medication use

Gastrointestinal Skills

Rows	1	2	3	4
Abdominal girth
Bowel sounds
Bowel sounds
Suck/swallow
Care of gastrostomy tube
Placement of Jejunal tube
Placement of nasogastric (NG) tube
Test for occult blood
Assist with breast feeding
Bottle
Breast milk handling/storage
Gavage
Electric breast pump use
Cleft lip/palate
Colostomy/ileostomy
Gastroschisis/omphalocele
GI bleeding
Inguinal hernia
Necrotizing enterocolitis
Post abdominal surgery
Reflux precautions
Tracheoesophageal fistula

Endocrine/Metabolic Skills

Rows	1	2	3	4
Finnegan
Fluid and electrolyte balance
Interpret bilirubin lab result
Interpret urine lab results
Collect of urine specimens
Assist with supra pubic tap
Catheter
Diaper/bag
Blood glucose test/interpretation
Phototherapy for jaundice
Post circumcision care
Acute renal failure
DIC
Hypo/hyperkalemia
Hypo/hypernatremia
IDM (infant of diabetic mother) Hypo and hyperglycemia
Malformations of GU tract & kidney
Peritoneal dialysis

Infectious Diseases Skills

Rows	1	2	3	4
CBC/differential
Culture reports
Maternal lab results
Hepatitis surface antigen pos. mother
HIV positive mother
Neonatal sepsis
Assist with lumbar puncture
Collect culture specimens
Immunization administration
Isolation techniques
Universal precautions

IV Therapy Skills

Rows	1	2	3	4
Cryoprecipitate
Packed red blood cells
Plasma/albumin
Whole blood
Hyperalimentation /TPN
Intralipid
IV pump
Syringe pump
Drawing blood from central line
Drawing venous blood
Starting IV's
Angiocath
Butterfly
Heparin lock
Managing IV therapy
Broviac
Groshong
Hickman
Portacath
Quinton
Percutaneous arterial line
Percutaneuos venous line
PICC
Umbilical artery line
Umbilical venous line

Other Responsibilities

Rows	1	2	3	4
Apgar scoring
Eye exam to rule out retinopathy
Gestational age/Ballard
Gestational age/Dubowitz
Maternal history
Pain level assessment
Screen for hearing loss
Bereavement/post mortem care
Calculation of medication dosage
Cord care
Neonatal skin care
Obtain weight (bed scale, scale)
Positioning devices
Preparation for transport
Isolette with humidity
Radiant warmer
Temperature -axillary, rectal, skin
Weaning to open crib/bassinet

Age Specific

Undertaking

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Date