Exam 1 Study Guide Flashcards
What are the vital signs?
(TPR & BP) Temperature Pulse Respirations Blood Pressure and Pain *Keep in mind Pain is Subjective*
Where are the Pulse sites?
- Temporal (At the Temples of the Head)
- Carotid (Both Sides of Neck) – never check pulse rates on both carotid arteries at the same time
- Apical (Heart) – over the heart and taken with a stethoscope
- Brachial (Crooks of Elbows) – typically used during blood pressure checks
- Radial (Wrists, under thumb) – used most often, easy to reach, easy to find, used for routine vital signs
- Femoral (Groin)
- Popliteal (Behind knee)
- Pedal (Top of Feet) – used to check circulation of the leg
When documenting Blood Pressure make sure to notate…
whether it was taken on the Left Arm or Right Arm.
When documenting Respirations make sure to…
label the reading as “resp” or “RR”.
When documenting Heart Rate (Pulse) make sure to…
label the reading as “HR”, “Heart Rate” or “Pulse” AND note which Pulse Site was used.
Pain is the only vital sign that is…
Subjective.
Subjective Data
information provided by the resident (what they Say)
Objective Data
information collected by the nurse aide’s senses (what is Observed)
IWIPE
Introduce yourself Wash your hands Identify patient Provide privacy Explain procedure and gather Equipment
Respirations
The process that supplies oxygen to the cells and removes carbon dioxide from cells.
What are the Blood Pressure Sites?
- Brachial: right or left upper arm (The brachial artery is most often used by the nurse aide when checking blood pressure)
- Radial: right or left wrist
What are the Blood Pressure Nevers?
- Do not take blood pressure on an arm with an IV, dialysis shunt graft catheter, or other medical device in place
- Avoid taking blood pressure on a side that has been injured or burned, is paralyzed, has a cast, or has had a mastectomy
What is Orthostatic Hypotension?
Abnormal low blood pressure that occurs when the resident suddenly stands up; complaints of feeling weak, dizzy, faint and seeing spots before the eyes.
NOTE: hyPO = LOW
Hypertension
High Blood Pressure: consistent elevated systolic or diastolic values
HYPERTENSION: STAGE 1 o Systolic (top number) - 130 to 139 mm Hg o Diastolic (bottom number) - 80 to 89 mm Hg
HYPERTENSION: STAGE 2 o Systolic (top number) - 140 mm Hg or Higher o Diastolic (bottom number) - 90 mm Hg or Higher
HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS o Systolic (top number) - 180 mm Hg or Higher o Diastolic (bottom number) - 120 mm Hg or Higher (Call 911)
NOTE: HY = HIGH
What is a graduate?
• Accurate measuring device for fluids when resident is on Intake and Output (I&O)
What is the importance of I&O?
- Used to evaluate fluid balance
- Used to evaluate kidney function
- Assists in planning and evaluating medical treatment
- Assists with carrying out special fluid orders
- Used to help prevent or detect complications from fluid intake
- Fluid intake is one factor that reflects the resident’s nutritional status
Which fluids are considered input?
- Liquids that the resident drinks
- Semi-liquid foods that are eaten
- Other fluids including intravenous (IV) fluids and tube feedings that nurse is responsible for maintaining and measuring
Which fluids are considered output?
- Urine
- Vomit
- Diarrhea
- Wound drainage
- Gastric suction material
Which devices collect output?
- Catheter bag
- Urinal
- Commode hat
- Emesis basin
What is the importance of recording accurate weight?
Important indicator of Health Status and Nutrition also tells medical staff how much medication to prescribe.
What are all of the aspects of Hand Hygiene?
INFECTION PREVENTION
• CDC defines hand hygiene as washing hands with
o soap and water or
o alcohol-based hand rubs (gels, rinses, or foams that do not need water to use)
What are the different types of PPE?
• PPE includes o Gloves: protect skin on hands o Gown: protects skin and clothes o Masks: protect mouth and nose o Goggles: protect eyes face shields that protect o Whole Face Mask
What are the Fall Prevention steps?
Components:
o Assessing residents for risk of falling
o Identifying/implementing interventions to minimize risk of sustaining an injury as a result of a fall
BEFAST
Signs a Stroke is Occurring o Balance – loss of balance; dizziness o Eyes – blurred vision o Face – one side of face is drooping o Arms – arm (or leg) weakness o Speech – speech difficulty o Time – time needs to be documented AND time to call 911 or notify supervisor if the resident in a health care facility
What do you do in the event of a seizure?
MAIN GOAL – keep resident safe
• Note time of start and stop of seizure
• Send for supervisor, but do not leave resident alone
• Put on gloves
• Cradle head to protect it
• Loosen clothing to assist with breathing
• Do Not attempt to restrain resident
• Do Not force anything in resident’s mouth between teeth
• Do Not give resident food or liquids
• If no injuries are suspected (head, neck, spine), turn resident on side when seizure is over to prevent aspiration (choking on saliva or vomitus)
RACE
Used in case of Fire
• Remove residents from danger
• Activate alarm
• Contain the fire by closing all doors and windows, if possible
• Extinguish the fire, or fire department will extinguish
PASS
o Pull the pin
o Aim at the base of the fire when spraying
o Squeeze the handle
o Sweep back and forth at the base of the fire
HIPAA
(Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) – law that protects the privacy and security of a person’s health information
What are the 3 Skills?
o Basic skills – essential skills required of nurse aides to deliver competent care to residents in health care settings
o Personal care skills – tasks that deal with a person’s body, appearance, and hygiene, typically done on a daily basis
o Interpersonal skills – in a health care setting, generally refers to a health care provider’s ability to get along with others while getting the job done
Fluid for I&O is measured and documented in…
milliliters (mL)
How do you measure fluid in a graduate?
at eye-level on flat surface.
What should you do if both intake and output are being measured?
Use two separate graduates that are and labelled.
PPE
Personal Protective Equipment
Why is PPE worn?
INFECTION PREVTION
Keeps blood, urine, stool, saliva, and other body liquids off skin and clothes.
What is the number one way to stop the transmission of infection?
Handwashing
Standard Precautions
1st of Two Levels of Infection Prevention Precautions; all body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucus membranes are treated as if they were infected
Transmission Based Precautions
2nd of Two Levels to Infection Prevention Precautions; specific tasks and measures that health care workers must do when caring for residents who are infected or may be infected with specific types of infections
What are types of Transmission Based Precautions and what PPE is worn for each?
o Contact Precautions
• PPE – follow Standard Precautions, plus wear Gown and Gloves
• Examples – Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infection (is the bacteria known for causing skin infections in addition to many other types of infections)
o Droplet Precautions
• PPE – follow Standard Precautions, plus wear a Mask and Gloves
• Examples – influenza, meningitis, and whooping cough
o Airborne Precautions
• PPE – follow Standard Precautions, plus wear a Respirator, depending on specific disease
• Examples – tuberculosis (or TB), chicken pox, measles
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
a theory, developed by Abraham Maslow, researcher of human behavior, that explains the necessity of meeting an individual’s physical needs before meeting psychosocial needs
P.S. BE SAfe
P• Physiological Needs: nutrition (water and food), elimination (toileting), breathing/circulation (vital signs), sleep, sex, shelter, and exercise
S• Safety and Security: injury prevention (call lights, hand hygiene, fall precautions, assistive devices, close observation); build trust (communication, reassurance, empathy); ensure clean, safe environment (free from harm, recognition and alleviation of fears) and resident and family education
B• Belonging and Love: supportive relationships free from social isolation, therapeutic communication skills, meaningful relationships
S• Self-Esteem: acceptance into a community or facility, personal achievement, sense of control or empowerment, accepting one’s physical appearance and mental capabilities
A• Self-Actualization: empowering environment, spiritual growth, ability to recognize other’s point of view, reaching one’s maximum potential
(f and e are not used)
Nursing Process 5 Steps
o Assessment – collecting information about a resident
o Diagnosis – describes a health problem that can be treated using nursing measures
o Planning – setting priorities and goals for a resident
o Implementation – performing or carrying out nursing measures that impact resident care
o Evaluation – time when nurses look at nursing care plans and see if plan worked in solving health issues and if interventions were effective
Afebrile
without a fever
Febrile
with a fever
Temperature Sites
o Mouth (oral) o Rectum (rectal) – most accurate; never let go of rectal thermometer while checking temperature o Armpit (axillary) – least accurate o Ear (tympanic) o Temporal artery (forehead)
Do Not take oral temperature when…
- Recent is unconscious
- Recent facial or mouth surgery
- Recent injury to face
- Has sores, redness, or mouth pain
- Is confused or agitated
- History or seizure
- Is using oxygen
- Is mouth-breather
- Has a feeding tube
Do Not take rectal temperature when…
- Has diarrhea
- Has rectal problem
- Has heart disease
- Recent rectal surgery
- Is confused or agitated
After Shaking Non-mercury, liquid-filled glass thermometers how long do you take the temperature for the reading be complete?
3 Minutes for Rectal
5 Minutes for Oral and Axillary
How do you position a patient to take a rectal temperature?
Lying down on LEFT side (due to heart, want to avoid stimulating vagus nerve)
How far do you stick in a rectal thermometer?
2”
What is the most accurate way to take temperatures?
Rectal