Chapter 7: Safety and Body Mechanics Flashcards
aspiration
the inhalation of food, fluid, or foreign material into the lungs
atrophy
weakening or wasting of muscles
body mechanics
the way the parts of the body work together when a person moves
chemical restraint
medications used to control a person’s behavior
combustion
the process of burning
contracture
The permanent and painful shortening of a muscle, tendon, or ligament that can restrict movement
Cyanosis
Blue or pale skin and/or mucous membranes due to decreased oxygen in the blood
Dysphagia
Difficulty in swallowing
Flammable
easily ignited and capable of burning quickly
hoarding
collecting and putting things away in a guarded way
Intravenous therapy
the delivery of medication, nutrition, or fluids through a person’s vein
PASS
acronym for use of a fire extinguisher; stands for Pull- Aim- Squeeze-Sweep
Physical Restraint
any method, device, material, or equipment that restricts a person’s freedom of movement
RACE
Acronym for steps taken during a fire; stands for Rescue- Activate- Contain- Extinguish
Restraint
a Physical or chemical way to restrict voluntary movement or behavior
restraint alternatives
measures in place of a restraint or that reduce the need for a restraint
Restraint-free care
an environment in which residents are not kept or used for any reason
Safety Data Sheet
Sheet that provides information on the safe use of and hazards of chemicals, as well as emergency steps to take in the even chemicals are splashed, sprayed or ingested
Scalds
burns caused by very hot liquids
Suffocation
the stoppage of breathing from a lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body that may result in unconsciousness or death
Guidelines for Fall Prevention
1) Know which residents who may be at risk and report unsteadiness
2) Keep frequently-used items close to residents, including call lights. Respond to call lights promptly. Make sure eyeglasses are within reach and that they are not damaged
3) Wipe up spills immediately
4) Remove clutter from walkways. Keep purse, bag straps, and linens off the floor
5) Get help when moving residents
6) Lock bed wheels before giving care. Lock bed wheels before moving a resident into or out of bed
More guidelines for Fall Prevention
1) Lock wheelchair wheels before transferring residents into or out of them
2) Return beds to their lowest position when finished with care
3) Make sure residents’ clothing fits properly. Make sure residents are wearing sturdy, nonskid shoes with the laces tied.
4) Report any rugs or mats that move. Use nonskid mats in the shower or bath
5) Report loose hand rails immediately. Report cracks or holes anywhere
6) Report damage of outdoor furniture, benches, and ramps
Even more Guidelines for Fall Prevention
1) Clearly mark areas where floor is uneven
2) Keep walkers and canes nearby
3) Do not move furniture without an order from the nurse
4) Offer trips to the bathroom often. Respond to requests for bathroom assistance promptly
5) Report any areas that are not well-lit
6) Do not try to catch or stop a falling resident. Use your body to slide him to the floor
7) Report all falls to the nurse and always complete an incident report
Most accident in a facility are caused by what?
Falls
What are falls often caused by?
Unsafe environments Loss of abilities Diseases Muscle Weakness Poor vision Disorientation
Guidelines for resident Identification
1) Identify residents before providing care or serving food
2) Check diet cards against resident’s identification
3) Call resident by name
Failure to identify residents can result in what?
Illness or even death
Guidelines for preventing burns or scalds
1) Check water temperature before giving a resident a bath or shower. Temperature should not be over 105 degrees
2) Check for proper temperature of warm water applications
3) Use low setting on hair dryers
4) Let liquids cool before serving
5) Serve drinks when residents are seated
More Guidelines for preventing burns or scalds
1) Tell residents before pouring or setting down hot drinks
2) Use lids on hot liquids
3) Pour hot liquids away from residents
4) Check plates that have been warmed
5) Make sure anything that has been in the sun has cooled before use
6) Tell residents about smoking precautions
Guidelines for Poison Prevention
1) Keep all items that may be poisonous away from disoriented residents. Do not leave cleaning products in residents’ rooms
2) Check expiration dates of foods to ensure that they are fresh
3) Check residents’ drawers for hoarded food that has spoiled
4) Make sure there is proper ventilation when chemical products are used
Guidelines for Choking Prevention
1) Residents should be sitting upright/90 degrees while eating
2) Assist with feeding slowly. Never rush a resident during a meal
3) Alternate between food and drink
4) Cut food into small pieces
5) Report to nurse if you think a resident would be helped by softer foods or thickened liquids
6) Make sure dentures are in place and fit properly
7) Be aware of residents’ swallowing precautions
Guidelines for preventing cuts, scrapes, and other injuries
1) Do not leave sharp objects out
2) Prevent skin tears when dressing residents by guiding clothing over the body
3) Approach doors slowly
4) When moving residents in wheelchairs, protect their arms, legs, hands, and feet
5) Push wheelchairs forward. Wheelchairs should face forward in elevators
General Safety Guidelines
1) Do not run in a facility
2) Do not put your hand into a bed or anywhere else without looking first
3) Ask for help when you need it
4) Know which residents are combative and try to learn what triggers this behavior
5) Follow facility policy if a skin splash or eye splash occurs
6) Report all injuries immediately
What organization is responsible for the safety of employees at work?
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
What information is found on a Safety Data Sheet?
1) Chemical ingredients of the product
2) Dangers of the product
3) Protective items to be worn
4) How to use and clean up the chemical
5) Emergency response if product is splashed onto skin or ingested
6) Safe handling, storage, and disposal procedures
Safety guidelines for sharps and biohazard containers
1) Don gloves before touching a sharps container
2) Keep hands clear of the opening of container. Carry the container by the bottom only
3) Request that container be replaced when it is 3/4 full or according to facility policy
4) Remove gloves and wash hands after putting anything into sharps container
5) Use biohazard container or bag for anything contaminated with infectious waste except for sharps
6) Wear gloves when disposing of infectious waste
7) Remove gloves and wash hands after putting anything into the biohazard container or bag
What terms should a nursing assistant be familiar with in body mechanics?
1) Alignment
2) Base of support
3) Center of gravity
Nursing assistant’s activities on the job require moving what?
1) lifting a resident
2) Picking up a bag of laundry
3) Carrying new residents’ luggage
4) Taking heavy trash bags to appropriate site
5) Cleaning a floor
6) Moving a bed into another room
Guidelines for good body mechanics when performing daily acitivities
1) Raise beds to safe working level
2) Stand close to object
3) Stand with a wide base of support
4) Push or slide objects rather than lifting
5) Use the strong muscles in the thighs, upper arms, and shoulders to lift
6) Bend at the knees (Squat) instead of at the waist
More guidelines for good body mechanics when performing daily activities
1) Avoid twisting or choppy movements. Face the object or person being moved. Pivot the feet instead of twisting at the waist
2) Do not lift with one hand
3) Hold objects close to your body when lifting
4) Avoid bending and reaching
5) Get help when you need it
6) Talk to residents before moving them. Agree on a signal for moving.
What are potential negative effects of restraint use?
1) Bruises and cuts
2) Pressure ulcers
3) Risk of suffocation or strangulation
4) Entrapment
5) Pneumonia
6) Reduced blood circulation
7) Stress on the heart
8) Blood clots
9) Poor appetite and malnutrition
10) Dehydration
What are some more negative effects of restraint use?
1) incontinence
2) Urinary tract infection
3) Constipation
4) Muscle atrophy and contractures
5) Loss of bone mass
6) Nerve inuries
7) Decreased mobility
8) Falls
9) Fractures
10) Depression and/or withdrawal
Even more potential negative effects of restraint use
1) Social isolation
2) Loss of self-esteem
3) Sleep disorders
4) Loss of dignity
5) Loss of independence
6) Stress and anxiety
7) Increased agitation
8) Confusion
9) Severe injury
10) Death
What are creative ideas used instead of restraints?
restraint alternatives
Guidelines for restraint use
1) Follow the care plans and the nurse’s instructions for monitoring
2) Place call light within resident’s reach and respond immediately to call lights
3) Perform care as ordered
4) Document appropriately
Do nursing assistants turn off or adjust oxygen levels?
No, this is the nurse’s responsibility
Safety guidelines with oxygen
1) Post NO SMOKING and OXYGEN IN USE signs
2) Remove fire hazards from room
3) Remove flammable liquids from the area
4) Do not allow candles, lighters, or matches around oxygen
5) Check nasal area, cheeks, and behind the ears for signs of irritation from tubing
6) Do not use petroleum-based products on the resident or on any part of the cannula or mask
7) Make sure that the resident is not lying on the oxygen tubing and that there are no kinks in it
8) Learn how to turn off oxygen in case of fire. Never adjust oxygen levels
List the things a nursing assistant should not do when caring for a resident with an IV
1) Take blood pressure on the arm with the IV
2) Get the IV site wet
3) Pull on or catch tubing in anything
4) Leave tubing kinked
5) Lower IV bag below IV site
6) Touch the clamp
7) Disconnect IV from pump or turn off alarm
What should you report to the nurse about an IV?
1) Needle or catheter has fallen out
2) The armboard or handboard becomes loose
3) Tubing is disconnected
4) Blood appears in tubing
5) IV fluid in bag or container is gone or almost gone
6) IV fluid is not dripping or is leaking, or bag breaks
7) IV pump is beeping
8) Resident complains of pain, has difficulty breathing, or has a fever
9) Resident pulls out or attempts to pull out IV
What three things must be present for a fire to occur?
1) Heat
2) Fuel
3) Oxygen
What can cause fires in facilities?
1) smoking
2) Frayed or damaged electrical cords
3) Electrical equipment in need of repair
4) Overloaded electrical plugs
5) Oxygen use
6) Flammable liquids or rags with oils on them
7) Stacks of newspapers or other clutter
Guidelines for fire prevention
1) Stay with a resident who is smoking
2) Check ashtrays for lit cigarettes or matches
3) Put out burning cigarettes
4) Make sure that cigarettes or smoking materials do not fall anywhere
5) Make sure there are no hot ashes, matches, or cigarette butts in an ashtray before emptying it
6) Follow any policies regarding e-cigarettes and their batteries
7) Report unsafe electrical equipment and cords immediately
8) Report smell of gas
What does the RACE acronym stand for?
R= Rescue anyone in danger A= Activate alarm or call 911 C= Contain fire by closing all doors and windows E= Extinguish the fire or fire department will extinguish
What does the PASS acronym stand for?
P= Pull the Pin A= Aim at the base of the fire S= Squeeze the handle S= Sweep back and forth at the base of the fire
General procedures to follow in case of a fire
1) Know the location of the fire evacuation plan
2) Remain calm
3) Remove all persons in immediate area
4) Stay low in room to escape a fire
5) Check closed doors for heat before opening them. Use wet towels to block doorways
6) Use damp covering over face to reduce smoke inhalation
7) Stop, drop, and roll if clothing catches fire
8) Never get into an elevator during a fire
9) Turn off oxygen and electrical equipment if facility policy allows
Guidelines for suspicious behavior
1) Report anything suspicious
2) Keep valuables at home
3) Ask nurse to lock up residents’ valuables
4) If a visitor or staff member makes you uneasy, do not leave the resident alone with the person
5) Follow guideline for number of visitors allowed in residents’ rooms
6) Do not share personal or confidential information with anyone
7) Report any situation or person who makes you feel unsafe
