Ch. 27 Safety, Security, and Emergency Preparedness Concepts Flashcards
Factors Affecting Safety
developmental level, lifestyle, mobility, sensory perception, knowledge level, communication ability, physical health state, and psychosocial state allows nurses to identify potential hazards and promote wellness.
Lifestyle factors
occupation: excessive noise, pollution, toxic chemicals or vapors, or infectious agents
social behavior: seatbelts, helmets, stress, vulnerable populations
Injury to nurses due to occupation
musculoskeletal injury, needlestick and sharp injuries, exposure to hazardous chemicals, radiation exposure, exposure to infectious disease, and workplace violence
Chemical threats
Biotoxins—poisons from plants or animals
Blister agents/vesicants—chemicals that severely blister the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin on contact
Blood agents—poisons that are absorbed into the blood
Caustics (acids)—chemicals that burn or corrode the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes on contact
Choking/lung/pulmonary agents—chemicals that cause severe irritation or swelling of the respiratory tract
Incapacitating agents—drugs that affect the ability to think clearly or that cause an altered state of consciousness or even unconsciousness
Long-acting anticoagulants—poisons that cause bleeding by preventing blood from clotting properly
Metals—agents that consist of metallic poisons
Nerve agents—highly poisonous chemicals that prevent the nervous system from working properly
Organic solvents—agents that damage the tissues by dissolving fats and oils
Riot control agents/tear gas—highly irritating agents normally used by law enforcement for crowd control or by individual people for protection
Toxic alcohols—poisonous alcohols that can damage the heart, kidneys, and nervous system
Vomiting agents—chemicals that cause nausea and vomiting
Emergency Preparedness Resources
National disaster medical system, federal emergency management agency, centers for disease control and prevention, the joint commission, american red cross, department of homeland security
Fall Injuries
any age, but leading cause of injury fatality among adults 65+
who believes that falls are preventable?
the joint commission and medicaid services, they also believe that fll prevention programs should be in place
Safety assessment
involves: focusing on the individual, the environment, and specific risk factors
Considerations fo car seats
parents often do not secure the car seat and harnesses tightly enough
mistreatment of children
abuse: physical, sexual, and emotional, and neglect
assessment of concussions
may be subtle, but immediate assessment must occur, as well as emergency medical intervention
highest risk for motor vehicle accidents
adolescents, often caused by distracted driving, or driving under the influence
Accidental overdosing
most at risk: older adults primarily related to poor eyesight or confusion
restraints
a last resort, must carefully follow facility policy,
evaluation of the care plan
confirms the effectiveness of interventions to promote environmental safety, prevent injury, and prepare for a disaster
