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Procedures and skills

The procedures nurses assist with and the skills they perform themselves.

fasciotomySurgery that cuts open the fascia, the tough tissue around a group of muscles, to relieve pressure inside it.
fat emulsionA milky-white IV fluid of fats, usually from soybean, olive or fish oil, given as part of nutrition by vein.
femoral arteryThe large artery that carries blood to the leg, running through the groin and down the thigh.
fetal heart rateThe number of times the unborn baby's heart beats per minute.
fetal heart rate monitoringChecking a fetus's heart rate during pregnancy or labor, with a handheld device or a continuous electronic monitor.
fetal heart rate variabilityThe small, irregular ups and downs of the baby's baseline heart rate seen on a fetal monitor tracing.
fetal monitorA device that records the fetal heart rate and the mother's contractions during pregnancy and labor.
fetal stationHow far the presenting part of the fetus has moved down the birth canal, measured against the ischial spines of the pelvis.
fingerbreadthThe width of one finger, about 1 to 2 centimeters, used as a quick bedside measure.
fingertipThe end of a finger.
FLACC scaleA pain scale based on watching a child's Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability, each scored 0 to 2.
fluid balanceThe match between the fluid that goes into the body and the fluid that leaves it.
fluid resuscitationGiving large amounts of IV fluid quickly to restore blood volume and blood flow to the organs.
flushTo push a small amount of fluid, usually saline, through an IV line or tube to clear it; as a noun, also a sudden reddening of the skin.
forcepsA hand instrument with two blades or arms used to grasp, hold or pull tissue or objects.
Fowler positionA sitting-up position in bed, with the head of the bed raised between 45 and 90 degrees.
frictionThe rubbing of one surface against another, such as skin against bed sheets.
fundal heightThe distance in centimeters from the top of the pubic bone to the top of the uterus, measured during pregnancy.