General Patient Care

Question 1

Identify patient before providing care

Answer 1

• If unsure of how to say name, ask fellow employees to help with the best way to say it
• When there is a response, greet patient with your first name name and inform him/her that you will be the assistant

Question 2

When performing CLIA-Waived:

Low risk of error

Answer 2

• Properly identify the patient
• Use proper personal protection equipment when handling bodily fluids
• Read manufacturer’s directions for performing the test
• Follow instructions when for processing of the specimens
• Retain product insert for instructions
• Record patient results before clearing equipment
• Do not mix supplies from other CLIA-waived kits
• Follow instructions for storage

Question 3

Monitor patient’s environmental safety

Answer 3

• If pt appears to have difficulty walking, offer wheelchair or other mobility assisting device, such as walker or cane
• Medical Assistant should be on patient’s weaker side when providing support
• If pt has reduced vision provide verbal directions

Question 4

Dispose of bio hazardous materials as directed by OSHA

Answer 4

• Any item that has come in contact with bodily fluids must be disposed of properly
• Needles must not be recapped must be placed in a sharp container
• Any other item that has sharp edges or blades should go in a sharp container
• Gloves, gauze, bandages, and other items that do not have sharp edges or needles should be placed in a biohazard bag

Question 5

Use universal, standard, and transmission-based precautions

Answer 5

A set of precautions that apply to all patient in the health care setting.

• Standard precautions consider all blood, tissue, secretions, and excretions, with the potentially infectious
• Hands must be washed with soap and water or rubbed with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before donning gloves
• Hands should be washed when eating, drinking, smoking, applying makeup, using laboratory facilities, touching hair, eyes, nose, or brakes in the skin
• Jewelry should be limited & fake nails should be prevented
• Open cuts or wounds should be covered