Ch. 3 - Essentials of Patient Care

Question 1

An easy and effective way to measure heart rate; recorded as beats per minute (bpm)

Answer 1

pulse

Question 2

Convenient, noninvasive method of monitoring oxygen levels in the blood

Answer 2

oximetry

Question 3

Refers to observable and measurable signs of life

Answer 3

vital signs

Question 4

Device for delivering oxygen by way of two small tubes inserted into the nostrils

Answer 4

nasal cannula

Question 5

Shortness of breath or the feeling of not getting enough air, which may leave a person gasping

Answer 5

dyspnea

Question 6

Difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressures

Answer 6

pulse pressure

Question 7

Spontaneous breathing that stops for any reason; it may be temporary, starting and stopping at intervals, or prolonged

Answer 7

apnea

Question 8

Exists when systolic pressure is above 140mmHg, while diastolic pressure remains below 90mmHg

Answer 8

isolated systolic hypertension

Question 9

Represents a national movement to recapture the respect and good will of the American public

Answer 9

patient-focused care (PFC)

Question 10

Heart rate of less than 60bpm arising from disease in the heart’s electrical conduction system

Answer 10

bradycardia

Question 11

Process of inhaling and exhaling air

Answer 11

respiration

Question 12

Surgical procedure to create an opening to allow passage of contents of the urinary bladder or bowel through the abdominal wall

Answer 12

ostomy

Question 13

The practice of giving liquid substances directly into a vein

Answer 13

intravenous (IV) therapy

Question 14

Basic infection control guidelines used to reduce the risks of infection spread through these transmission modes; airborne infection, droplet infection, and contact infection

Answer 14

standard precautions

Question 15

Refers to using the correct muscles to complete a task safely, efficiently, and without undue strain on any joints or muscles

Answer 15

body mechanics

Question 16

Hospital-acquired infection

Answer 16

nosocomial infection

Question 17

What is the most important facet of being a sonographer?

Answer 17

The patient is the primary focus when giving care.

Question 18

Despite your personal or philosophical concerns, you must be considerate of the patient’s _______________, _______________, _______________, and _______________.

Answer 18

culture, age, values, lifestyle

Question 19

Examples of vital signs include _______________, _______________, _______________, and _______________.

Answer 19

pulse, respiratory rate, body temperature, blood pressure

Question 20

Strenuous exercise, coronary artery disease, and electrolyte imbalances in the blood can cause _______________.

Answer 20

arrhythmias

Question 21

When a pulse is taken, which artery is usually palpated?

Answer 21

radial

Question 22

A normal pulse oximetry reading for a person breathing room air is _______________.

Answer 22

in the high 90s

Question 23

Normal respiration occurs at a rate of 15 to _______________ breaths per minute.

Answer 23

20

Question 24

As blood travels away from the heart, the pressure of the circulating blood _______________, spreading through arteries and capillaries and back toward the heart through the veins.

Answer 24

decreases

Question 25

The primary function of respiration is to obtain oxygen for use by the body’s cells and to eliminate the cells’ production of _______________.

Answer 25

carbon dioxide

Question 26

In measuring blood pressure, the higher number is the _______________ pressure, which occurs when the ventricles contract to pump blood to the body; the lower number is the _______________ pressure, which occurs near the end of the cardiac cycle when the ventricles are filling with blood.

Answer 26

systolic, diastolic

Question 27

Describe the findings when a patient has an infiltrated IV tubing.

Answer 27

If the needle is dislodged, the fluid may enter the surrounding tissue, which may cause swelling (edema) and discomfort. The flow should be clamped off, and staff notified.

Question 28

What is the purpose of an NG tube?

Answer 28

It is used to remove contents of the stomach, including air, to decompress the stomach, and remove small solid objects or fluid, such as poison, from the stomach.

Question 29

When catheterized patients are transferred from wheelchairs or stretchers to the scanning table, in what position should the collecting bag be placed?

Answer 29

It should be below the patient’s bladder, to prevent urine backflow.

Question 30

List the four basic principles of body mechanics.

Answer 30

1) maintain stable center of gravity–center of gravity low, back straight, bend hips and knees
2) Maintain a strong base of support–feet apart, toes pointing forward, knees absorbing jolts
3) Maintain stable center of gravity–back straight, object close to body
4) Maintain proper body alignment through good posture

Question 31

Lifting should be done using the _______________ muscles, by lifting straight upward in one smooth motion.

Answer 31

leg

Question 32

Describe the method used to transfer a patient from a wheelchair to the bed when working alone.

Answer 32

lock the wheelchair; remove armrest nearest bed and swing away both leg rests; bed should be in lowest position; support the patient and swing his legs to help him stand; while still supporting, ask the patient to scoot as close to the bed as he can until his feet are on the floor; widen your stance to lift the patient; clasp your hands around the patient’s back and lift the patient out of the chair; use proper body mechanics and count to 3 as you help the patient into the bed

Question 33

The most important weapon against the spread of infection is proper _______________.

Answer 33

hand washing

Question 34

You should wash your hands whenever you come in contact with these five substances:

Answer 34

blood, all body fluids (secretions, excretions and contaminated items), broken skin, mucous membranes–inside mouth, nose and eyelids, dried blood or dried bloody fluids

Question 35

Is it acceptable to not wash your hands if gloves were used?

Answer 35

no

Question 36

When should a mask be worn?

Answer 36

It should be worn whenever performing procedures, likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions and excretions.

Question 37

What should be used to clean the transducer?

Answer 37

steri-septic cleaner

Question 38

Name four airborne diseases.

Answer 38

tuberculosis, measles, chicken pox, shingles

Question 39

Name the six droplet diseases.

Answer 39

mumps, measles (rubella), whooping cough (pertussis), pneumonia, meningitis (some forms), strep throat

Question 40

Name one of the most serious of contact diseases.

Answer 40

MRSA

Question 41

Describe the factors necessary to prepare a sterile field.

Answer 41

Everything in, and added to it must be sterile. Items that are opened before use are considered contaminated. Sterile gloves must be worn. 1-inch border around the edge of the package is considered unsterile. Never reach across the sterile field or turn your back on it. Tables should be at waist level. Always read directions! (ex. disposable equipment, or reusable?)

Question 42

List three rights that patients have in the medical setting.

Answer 42

1) be treated with respect
2) refuse treatment
3) protect privacy of their medical records

Question 43

List three responsibilities that the patient has.

Answer 43

1) maintain healthy habits
2) be honest with providers
3) comply with treatment plans

Question 44

What is HIPPA?

Answer 44

It established new standards for the uses of health care information and created 3 types of standards: privacy, security, and administrative simplification.

Question 45

What does HIPPA mean for sonographers?

Answer 45

putting patient information away after hours; taking files out of sight; setting quick screensavers; making sure other patients don’t overhear anything; removing patient identification; hiding patient names on charts; honoring patient privacy requests; letting patients know their rights; meeting expectations of a pleasant experience and environment where comfort, safety, and respect as an individual are ensured