Chapter 7: Safety and Body Mechanics

Question 1

aspiration

Answer 1

the inhalation of food, fluid, or foreign material into the lungs

Question 2

atrophy

Answer 2

weakening or wasting of muscles

Question 3

body mechanics

Answer 3

the way the parts of the body work together when a person moves

Question 4

chemical restraint

Answer 4

medications used to control a person’s behavior

Question 5

combustion

Answer 5

the process of burning

Question 6

contracture

Answer 6

The permanent and painful shortening of a muscle, tendon, or ligament that can restrict movement

Question 7

Cyanosis

Answer 7

Blue or pale skin and/or mucous membranes due to decreased oxygen in the blood

Question 8

Dysphagia

Answer 8

Difficulty in swallowing

Question 9

Flammable

Answer 9

easily ignited and capable of burning quickly

Question 10

hoarding

Answer 10

collecting and putting things away in a guarded way

Question 11

Intravenous therapy

Answer 11

the delivery of medication, nutrition, or fluids through a person’s vein

Question 12

PASS

Answer 12

acronym for use of a fire extinguisher; stands for Pull- Aim- Squeeze-Sweep

Question 13

Physical Restraint

Answer 13

any method, device, material, or equipment that restricts a person’s freedom of movement

Question 14

RACE

Answer 14

Acronym for steps taken during a fire; stands for Rescue- Activate- Contain- Extinguish

Question 15

Restraint

Answer 15

a Physical or chemical way to restrict voluntary movement or behavior

Question 16

restraint alternatives

Answer 16

measures in place of a restraint or that reduce the need for a restraint

Question 17

Restraint-free care

Answer 17

an environment in which residents are not kept or used for any reason

Question 18

Safety Data Sheet

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Scalds

Answer 19

burns caused by very hot liquids

Question 20

Suffocation

Answer 20

the stoppage of breathing from a lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body that may result in unconsciousness or death

Question 21

Guidelines for Fall Prevention

Answer 21

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

Question 22

More guidelines for Fall Prevention

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Even more Guidelines for Fall Prevention

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Most accident in a facility are caused by what?

Answer 24

Falls

Question 25

What are falls often caused by?

Answer 25

Unsafe environments
Loss of abilities
Diseases
Muscle Weakness
Poor vision
Disorientation

Question 26

Guidelines for resident Identification

Answer 26

1) Identify residents before providing care or serving food
2) Check diet cards against resident’s identification
3) Call resident by name

Question 27

Failure to identify residents can result in what?

Answer 27

Illness or even death

Question 28

Guidelines for preventing burns or scalds

Answer 28

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

Question 29

More Guidelines for preventing burns or scalds

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Guidelines for Poison Prevention

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Guidelines for Choking Prevention

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Guidelines for preventing cuts, scrapes, and other injuries

Answer 32

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

Question 33

General Safety Guidelines

Answer 33

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

Question 34

What organization is responsible for the safety of employees at work?

Answer 34

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Question 35

What information is found on a Safety Data Sheet?

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Safety guidelines for sharps and biohazard containers

Answer 36

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

Question 37

What terms should a nursing assistant be familiar with in body mechanics?

Answer 37

1) Alignment
2) Base of support
3) Center of gravity

Question 38

Nursing assistant’s activities on the job require moving what?

Answer 38

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

Question 39

Guidelines for good body mechanics when performing daily acitivities

Answer 39

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

Question 40

More guidelines for good body mechanics when performing daily activities

Answer 40

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.

Question 41

What are potential negative effects of restraint use?

Answer 41

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

Question 42

What are some more negative effects of restraint use?

Answer 42

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

Question 43

Even more potential negative effects of restraint use

Answer 43

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

Question 44

What are creative ideas used instead of restraints?

Answer 44

restraint alternatives

Question 45

Guidelines for restraint use

Answer 45

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

Question 46

Do nursing assistants turn off or adjust oxygen levels?

Answer 46

No, this is the nurse’s responsibility

Question 47

Safety guidelines with oxygen

Answer 47

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

Question 48

List the things a nursing assistant should not do when caring for a resident with an IV

Answer 48

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

Question 49

What should you report to the nurse about an IV?

Answer 49

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

Question 50

What three things must be present for a fire to occur?

Answer 50

1) Heat
2) Fuel
3) Oxygen

Question 51

What can cause fires in facilities?

Answer 51

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

Question 52

Guidelines for fire prevention

Answer 52

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

Question 53

What does the RACE acronym stand for?

Answer 53

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

Question 54

What does the PASS acronym stand for?

Answer 54

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

Question 55

General procedures to follow in case of a fire

Answer 55

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

Question 56

Guidelines for suspicious behavior

Answer 56

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