The Ultimate 50+ Nursing Procedure Checklists: 2026 Global Edition

Section 1: Advanced Critical Care (ICU/CCU) Checklists

• Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) Management: Monitoring and troubleshooting for cardiac shock patients.
• Prone Positioning Checklist: Step-by-step for ARDS patients on mechanical ventilation.
• CRRT (Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy) Priming: Setting up the dialysis circuit in ICU.
• Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Monitoring: Setup and measurement for neuro-surgery patients.
• Vasoactive Inotrope Infusion: Titration and safety checks for life-saving drugs.
• Arterial Line Leveling & Zeroing: Ensuring accurate invasive blood pressure monitoring.

Section 2: Emergency & Life Support Checklists

Post-Cardiac Arest Care (ROSC): Checklist for the first 60 minutes after heart restart.

• Rapid Sequence Induction (RSI): Preparing for emergency intubation in trauma.
• Chest Tube (Intercostal Drain) Care: Monitoring for bubbling and drainage output.
• Defibrillation Safety Protocol: 10-point check before delivering a high-voltage shock.
• Massive Transfusion Protocol (MTP): Rapid blood administration in internal bleeding cases.

Section 3: Specialized Nursing Procedures

• Chemotherapy Spillage Protocol: Safety steps for handling toxic cancer drugs.
• TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) Administration: Central line care for intravenous nutrition.
• Peritoneal Dialysis Exchange: Steps for bedside kidney filtration.
• Brain Death Assessment Assistance: Documentation and clinical testing support.
• Lumbar Puncture (Assisting): Positioning and sterile field management for spinal fluid collection.
• Bone Marrow Aspiration Support: Patient comfort and sample handling.

Section 4: Safety & Quality Standards (Global Standards)

Fall Prevention Bundle: Daily assessment for high-risk elderly patients.

• CLABSI Prevention: Bundle of care for Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections.
• CAUTI Prevention: Safety checks for Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections.
• Bedside Handover (SBAR Technique): Professional communication checklist between shifts.
• Discharge Planning Checklist: Ensuring safe transition from hospital to home.
• Pressure Ulcer Prevention (Braden Scale): Skin assessment and turning clock protocol.
• Patient Restraint Safety: Ethical and physical monitoring of agitated patients.
• Organ Donation Coordination: Initial steps and donor maintenance checklist.

Section 5: Peri-operative & Surgical Checklists

• WHO Surgical Safety Checklist: (Sign-in, Time-out, Sign-out protocol).
• Pre-Operative Shaving & Skin Prep: Site-specific preparation for surgery.
• Surgical Scrubbing & Gowning: Ensuring a zero-infection sterile field.
• Instrument & Sponge Count: Preventing retained foreign objects in OT.
• Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Recovery: Monitoring vitals post-surgery.
• Drain Removal Checklist: Safe removal of surgical drains (Redivac/JP drains).

Section 6: Pediatric & Neonatal (NICU) Checklists

Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP): Immediate care for newborns in distress.

• Phototherapy Setup: Managing jaundice in neonates.
• Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC): Step-by-step for premature babies.
• Pediatric Gavage Feeding: NG feeding for infants.
• Umbilical Catheterization Care: Management of arterial/venous lines in NICU.

Section 7: Diagnostic & Interventional Checklists

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Safety: Screening for metallic implants.
• Cardiac Catheterization (Angiography) Prep: Patient preparation for the cath lab.
• Endoscopy/Colonoscopy Pre-procedure: Bowel preparation and fasting rules.
• Biopsy Assist (Liver/Kidney): Positioning and post-procedure pressure dressing.
• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Assist: Nursing care in psychiatric procedures.

Section 8: Miscellaneous & Advanced Care

• Total Hip/Knee Replacement Care: Post-op mobilization checklist.
• Burn Wound Dressing (Rule of Nines): Sterile dressing for major burn cases.
• Blood Culture Collection: Preventing contamination during sample collection.
• Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) Pump: Managing pain relief infusion.
• Post-Mortem Care: Standardized dignified care of the deceased.
• Emergency Eye Irrigation: Chemical spill management in the ER.
• Tracheostomy Tube Change: Safe replacement of the outer cannula.
• Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Pressure Monitoring: Assisting in bedside manometry.
• Cold Chain Management: Safe storage and handling of vaccines.

A Personal Note from the Author

“Writing these 50+ checklists hasn’t been just about compiling data; it’s about sharing the real-world clinical discipline I practice every day as a Nursing Officer in the ICU. Throughout my career, I have realized that in high-pressure environments, a simple missed step can change a patient’s outcome. These guidelines are drafted based on international standards (JCI & NABH) and my personal hands-on experience at the bedside.

I have personally verified each point to ensure that whether you are a nursing student or a veteran professional, you find these steps practical and easy to follow. This is my contribution to our global nursing community—to ensure ‘Patient Safety’ remains our topmost priority. If you find these checklists helpful in your daily shift, feel free to share them with your colleagues. Let’s strive for clinical excellence together.”

About the Author – Deepak Kumar

Hi, main Deepak Kumar hoon. Maine GNM, Post BSc Nursing, aur MSc Nursing ki hai. Ek experienced ICU Nursing Officer hone ke naate, main Bexyhub par nursing students ke liye original aur practical notes share karta hoon taaki aap clinical practice aur exams mein excel kar sakein.