a. Contents. The assignment worksheet contains the name of the nursing team
member who will perform the duties assigned, the date of the worksheet, and the
locations and names of the patients assigned to the member. Instructions for patient
bathing are listed in the "Bath" column. Common instructions include "assist," "self,"
"tub," and "shower." A check mark indicates that the nursing team member is to bathe
the patient. Any special instructions are listed in the "Treatment and Care" column.
b. Signatures. The form is signed by the head nurse when it is given to the
team member. Observations and special points of care performed by the team member
are noted on the back of the form by the team member. After the assignments have
been accomplished, the team member signs the form and returns it to the nurse.
1-7.
TEMPERATURE, PULSE AND RESPIRATION RECORD (DA FORM 3950)
The Temperature, Pulse and Respiration Record (TPR) is a worksheet used to
record the patients' vital signs TPR, as they are taken. This worksheet is usually
destroyed after the readings have been transcribed to the Standard Forms 511
maintained on the individual patients.
a. Initiate the Form. Use either a pencil or pen to make entries on the TPR.
Enter the ward number and the date in the upper right corner of the form. Enter the
times the vital signs are to be taken (usually every 4 hours) in the column headings.
b. Enter Vital Signs Readings. Enter the patient's vital signs as they are taken.
Enter a patient's blood pressure readings (in even whole numbers) if taken at the top of
the block in systolic/diastolic format. Enter the patient's temperature (to the nearest
two-tenths of a degree Fahrenheit), pulse rate (to the nearest even whole number), and
respiration rate (even or odd whole number) in the bottom portion of the block in that
order. If the patient's temperature is taken rectally, enter " R " after the temperature
reading. If it is taken by the axillary method (under the arm), enter " A " after the
reading. A temperature taken orally (by mouth) does not have a special symbol entered
after the reading. Figure 1-3 shows an example of a TPR worksheet.
MD0920
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