be done and what the patient can do to assist with the activity. Often the success of the test or procedure is dependent upon the patient’s informed cooperation. When collecting specimens, the Hospital Corpsman must complete the following procedures:  Collect the correct kind and amount of specimen at the right time.  Place the specimen in the correct container.  Label the container completely and accurately. This often differs somewhat for each facility, and local policies should be consulted.  Complete the laboratory request form accurately.  Record on the patient’s record or other forms, as appropriate; the date, time, kind of specimen collected; the disposition of the specimen; and anything unusual about the appearance of the specimen or the patient during the collection. When assisting with a diagnostic procedure, the Hospital Corpsman must understand the sequence of steps of the procedure and exactly how the assistance can best be provided. Since many procedures terminate in the collection of a specimen, the above principles of specimen collecting must be followed. Following the completion of a procedure or specimen collection, it is the responsibility of the assisting Hospital Corpsman to ensure that the patient’s safety and comfort are attended to, the physician’s orders accurately followed, and any supplies or equipment used appropriately discarded. Medications A major form of therapy for the treatment of illness is the use of drugs. It is not uncommon for the medical patient to be treated with several drugs. As members of the healthcare team, Hospital Corpsmen assigned to preparing and administering medications are given a serious responsibility demanding constant vigilance, integrity, and special knowledge and skills. The preparation and administration of medications were addressed in great detail in the Hospital Corps School curriculum. References and the continued in-service training devoted to medication administration at all medical facilities support the importance of accurate preparation and administration of drugs. An error—which also includes omissions—can seriously affect a patient, even to the point of causing death. Each Hospital Corpsman is responsible for his own actions, and this responsibility cannot be transferred to another. No one individual is expected to know all there is to know about all patients and medications. However, in every healthcare environment, the Hospital Corpsman can access other healthcare providers who can assist in clarifying orders; explaining the purposes, actions, and effects of drugs; and, in general, answering any questions that may arise concerning a particular patient and that patient’s medications. There should be basic drug references available to all personnel handling medications, including the Physicians’Desk Reference and a hospital formulary. As a Hospital Corpsman, it is your responsibility to consult these members of the team and these references for assistance in any area in which you are not knowledgeable or whenever you have questions or doubts. You are also responsible for knowing and following local policies and procedures regarding the administration of medications. Food and Fluid Therapy The following brief discussion covers food and fluid and how it relates specifically to the medical patient. Loss of appetite, food intolerance, digestive disturbances, lack of exercise, and even excessive weight gain influence a medical patient’s intake requirements. Regardless of their medical problems, patients have basic nutritional needs that frequently differ from those of the healthy person. As a part of the patient’s therapeutic regimen, food is usually prescribed in the form of a special diet. Regardless of the kind of diet prescribed, the patient must understand why certain foods are ordered or eliminated, and how compliance with the regimen will assist in his total care. It is the responsibility of the Corpsman to assist the patient in understanding the importance of the prescribed diet and to ensure that accurate recording of the patient’s dietary intake is made on the clinical record. In many disease conditions, the patient is unable to tolerate food or fluids or may lose these through vomiting, diarrhea, or both. In these cases, replacement fluids as well as nutrients are an important part of the patient’s medical management. On the other hand, there are several disease conditions in which fluid restrictions are important aspects of the patient’s therapy. In both of these instances, accurate measurement and recording of fluid intake and output must be carefully performed. Very frequently this becomes a major task of the staff Hospital Corpsman. 2-14