General Principles Guide Flashcards
List some ways to ensure professionalism and safety is achieved in the exam.
Use hand hygiene Examine correct patient Clear explanation in language patient understands Clear instructions Check patient comfort throughout Preserve patient dignity Respectful of patient Consider offering a chaperone
What are standard precautions?
A group of infection prevention practices that apply to all patients, irrespective of confirmed or suspected infection status, in any setting in which healthcare is provided.
List examples of standard precautions.
Hand hygiene PPE Respiratory Hygiene - cough etiquette Patient Care Equipment - safe use, handling and disposal of equipment likely to be contaminated Environmental cleaning
5 moments of hand hygiene.
Before touching patient After touching patient After touching patient surroundings Before aseptic procedure After bodily fluid exposure
When do we wash our hands with soap?
Advised to do so
Buildup of rub on hands
Hands are visibly soiled
Dealt with vomiting/diarrhoea
What do we report in reporting findings to other health professionals?
Introduce patient - name, age, gender, occupation
Outline presenting problem including biomedical and px perspective
Background info
Exam findings
Succinct summary
List the places where temperature can be assessed.
Oral
Tympanic
Axillary
Rectal
What variables affect temperature values?
Age, gender, time of day, ovulation
List circumstances where temperature is higher than normal.
Higher in a child
Ovulating women
Hot environment
Temp is low in morning, peaks in evening
What value of temperature indicates a fever?
Higher than 38.5 degrees
Below 34 degrees = hypothermic
Which temperature most accurately represents core temperature?
Rectal
Pros vs cons of tympanic temperature.
Quick and easy
Tricky with small ear canals, hearing aids
Pros vs cons axillary temp
Used in small babies
Difficult to keep thermometer in place if patient is mobile
Takes longer than tympanic or rectal sites
Oral temp pros vs cons
Difficult to keep in position
Can be affected by recent hot/cold drinks
Takes longer than tympanic/rectal sites
Rectal temp pros vs cons
Useful when assessing hypothermia
Useful in infants
Quick
Care needs to be taken for cultural views
Which pulse do we usually use? What other pulse can be used and in which circumstances?
Usually use radial pulse
Carotid pulse can be used for patients with low blood pressure
What do we assess for pulse?
Rate and rhythm
