Core PO2 - Assisting other proffesionals with care intervientions Flashcards
What are the roles of a healthcare assistant?
- Vital signs
- Hygiene support
- Safeguard
- Audits
- Support with eating and drinking
- Personal care
- Mobility assistance
- Document
What are the roles of a nurse?
- All HCA roles
- Patient care
- Administer medication
- Treatment
- Vitals
What are the roles of a doctor?
- Diagnose
- Prescribe
- Order tests
- Monitor
- Health promotion
What need to be taken into account to delegate tasks safely?
- Training
- Within job description
- Informed of task
- Appropriate supervision or mentorship
- Risk assessment
When do handovers take place?
When a patient moves or their carer changes.
What is an SBAR handover?
S - Situation
B - Background
A - Assessment
R - Recommendations
This is a handover format to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.
When is a patient discharged?
When they are clinically ready and have a care packages
What should be done before a patient is discharged?
- Education on self care and medication requirements
- Occupational therapists assesses needs for equipment and care aids. Will have an ADL capability assessment while in the hospital.
- Care package.
- Occupational therapist risk assessment of home for adaptions.
- Informal care is informed of duties
Why are samples taken?
To be analysed and aid diagnosis.
What should sample bottles be labeled with?
- Name
- DOB
- NHS NUMBER
How do you collect a sample of genital fluid from a male?
Clean the area and retract the foreskin, then insert a plastic swab 1cm into the urethra.
Gently rotate the swab and remove it.
Put it in a sealed pot.
How do you collect a sample of genital fluid from a female?
Insert a plastic swab 2cm into the vagina, rotate it and remove it.
Put it in a sealed pot.
How do you collect a mucus sample?
Insert a plastic swab up both nostrils, the depth of an index finger.
Leave it for 10 seconds, put it in a sterile tube and seal it.
How do you collect a semen sample?
Masturbating into a sterile container.
What is sputum?
Lower respiratory chest phlegm, which is usually white, yellow or green.
How do you collect a sputum sample?
Deep coughing to loosen sputum and spat into a sterile container.
Easiest to collect in the morning.
What is a catheter?
A tube inserted into the bladder via the urethra.
A balloon is inflated to keep it in place so urine can flow out into a collection bag.
Why do you need to deflate the balloon before removing a catheter?
If you remove it without deflating the ballon it needs to be immediately inspected.
This is because it can tear the urethra, which can’t self heal.
What should be checked with. catheter to avoid blockages and back-flow?
The collection bag should be below the person and the tube should have no kinks or twists.
When should a collection bag be emptied?
When it’s 2/3 full.
What should be used to clean a catheter site?
Mild soap and saline.
What is an intermittent catheter?
A catheter without a balloon for one time use.
What is a penile sheath?
A sleeve with an adhesive that fits over the penis and acts as a catheter.
What is urinalysis?
A test to examine urine for UTI’s, kidney problems, diabetes and the presence of blood, proteins, PH imbalances and more.
Also examine urine colour, volume and odour.
When would urinalysis be done?
During check ups, on admission, before surgery and during pregnancy.
What is a catheter passport?
An information document to educate patients on their catheter care.
What is venipuncture?
Taking blood from a vein.
What is an intramuscular injection?
Injection into the muscle at a 90 degree angle.
In the upper arm, bottom or thigh.
What is a subcutaneous injection?
An injection into the subcutaneous layer for medication, at a 45 degree angle.
What is an intradermal injection?
An injection into the dermal at a 10
degree angle.
What id a pressure sore?
Pressure sores are created when pressure is applied for a long time, causing damage to the skin or underlying tissues.
This damage is due to a lack of blood flow to the area, as the pressure constricts the surface capillaries. So oxygenated blood doesn’t reach the skin or tissues, causing cells to die off.
What is slough?
Yellow or white liquid from wound.
What is escar?
Dead skin tissue.
Where do pressure sores happen?
On bones prominences or places under pressure (e.g. cannulas or ventilators).
What is the first sign of a pressure sore?
Discoloured skin that doesn’t change colour when pressed.
On pale skin this will be red and on darker skin tones this will be purple or blue.
The skin will also feel a different temperature to other skin and spongey with pain or itchiness.
How many stages of a pressure sore are the there?
4
What is a stage one pressure sore?
Redness, change in temperature and spongey.
What is a stage two pressure sore?
The topmost layer of skin (epidermis) is broken, creating a shallow open sore.
The second layer of skin (dermis) may also be broken.
What is a stage three pressure sore?
Full thickness tissue loss with visible fat and possible slough.
What is a stage four pressure sore?
Full thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendons or muscle.
Slough or escar may be at the deepest part of the wound.
How would you care for a stage one pressure sore?
Gently wash it with soap and apply a transparent hydrocolloid dressing.
Reposition to avoid progression.
How would you care for a stage two pressure sore?
Clean it with saline and apply a dressing.
Apply antibacterial creams to prevent infection and barrier creams to stop further deterioration.
How would you care for stage three pressure sore?
Clean gently with saline and remove slough for inspection.
Consider antibiotics and seal the area with a hydrocolloid dressing.
How would you care for a stage four pressure sore?
Cleaning.
Use a gauze dressing as the surface dead tissue may come away form the wound when removed.
May need greasy repair.
How would you prevent a pressure sore or further deterioration?
- Routine movement
- Remind them to reposition
- Pressure mattress
- Cushioning
What can be done do a patient may be developing a grade one pressure sore?
Wash the area with hydromol to hydrate the skin, because if it gets dry it can crack and let bacteria in.
Then apply a standard emollient.
Why must skin that has died be fully removed?
It can spread and kill other tissues.
What is an electrocardiogram (ECG)?
A way to record the electrical signals of the heart.
The patient lays flat and electrode stickers are stuck on their ankles, wrist and chest.
The electrodes are connected to an ECG which turns the electrical activity into a readable line on paper or a screen.
What is an electrocardiogram (ECG)?
A way to record the electrical signals of the heart.
The patient lays flat and electrode stickers are stuck on their ankles, wrist and chest.
The electrodes are connected to an ECG which turns the electrical activity into a readable line on paper or a screen.
What can an ECG identify?
- Heart attack
- Arrhythmia
- Poor blood supply
- Inflammation
What can ECG evaluate?
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Heart health
- Pacemaker efficiency
- Medication effectiveness
Who can carry out an ECG?
A doctor or a nurse with training can do this.
What is angina?
Chest pain due to reduce blood flow to the cardiac muscles.
