Introduction to Patient Care

Question 1

Who is a patient?

Answer 1

A patient refers to someone who receives services at a hospital or doctor’s or dentist’s office.

Question 2

Who is a resident?

Answer 2

Residents stay in a long-term care facility or assisted-living facility, usually for an extended time period, if not permanently.

Question 3

Who is a client?

Answer 3

A client receives health care in his own home.

Question 4

List patient identifiers.

Answer 4

●● Name
●● Assigned identification number
●● Date of birth
●● Phone number
●● Social Security number
●● Address
●● Photo

Question 5

What is patient rounding?

Answer 5

Patient rounding is the process in which a healthcare professional enters a patient’s room at a designated time to assess the person’s needs.

Question 6

What is the pain concept of patient rounding?

Answer 6

Pain: Patient rounding provides the opportunity to dispense medications or to check on the patients’ level of pain.

Question 7

What is the concept of position in patient rounding?

Answer 7

Position: During patient rounding, you are able to see if the patient is comfortable.

Question 8

What is the concept of potty in patient rounding?

Answer 8

Potty: During patient rounding you’ll simply ask the patient if they need to use the bathroom.

Question 9

What is the concept of possessions in patient rounding?

Answer 9

Possessions: Finally, you’ll offer assistance with possessions.

Question 10

What is the definition of physical abuse?

Answer 10

The use of force that may result in bodily injury, physical pain, injury or impairment.

Question 11

What is the definition of emotional abuse?

Answer 11

The infliction of mental anguish, pain or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts.

Question 12

What is the definition of sexual abuse?

Answer 12

Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an older adult.

Question 13

What is the definition of neglect?

Answer 13

The refusal or failure to fulfill any part of a person’s obligations or duties to care for an older adult.

Question 14

What is the definition of financial exploitation?

Answer 14

The illegal, unauthorized, or improper use of an older individual’s resources for the benefit of someone other than the older individual.

Question 15

What are the physical effects of elder abuse?

Answer 15

The most immediate probable physical effects include:
● Welts, wounds, and injuries (e.g., bruises, lacerations, dental problems, head injuries, broken bones, pressure sores)
● Persistent physical pain and soreness
● Nutrition and hydration issues
● Sleep disturbances
● Increased susceptibility to new illnesses (including sexually transmitted diseases)
● Exacerbation of preexisting health conditions
● Increased risks for premature death

Question 16

What are the physiological effects of elder abuse?

Answer 16

Established psychological effects of elder abuse include high levels of distress and depression. Other potential psychological consequences that need further scientific study are:
● Increased risks for developing fear and anxiety reactions
● Learned helplessness
● Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Question 17

(APS) Adult Protected Services definition?

Answer 17

Adult Protective Services (APS) programs are social services programs established through legislation enacted in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. APS programs serve seniors and adults with disabilities by offering a system for reporting and investigating abuse as well as providing social services to assist victims.

Question 18

When should you make a report with APS?

Answer 18

Generally, any person who is in some way responsible for the care of an elderly person should make a report if she has reason to believe that person has been abused or is subject to abuse. This could include professional at-home caregivers, caregivers hired through family members or other medical professionals who interact with the elderly person on a regular basis. You don’t need proof of the abuse to make the call. Adult Protective Services will send someone to the person’s home to check out the report and, if necessary, take steps to make sure he’s safe.

Question 19

Define drape sheets

Answer 19

Drape sheets are large sheets of fabric that cover the patient during an examination or surgery.

Question 20

In the supply cabinet, you’ll often find disposable items used for patient examination and treatment. These items include dressings and bandages, and disposable gloves. Exam rooms should not contain:

Answer 20

● Syringes
● Needles
● Medication samples
● Cleaning supplies
● Chemical solutions

Question 21

Define dressings

Answer 21

Dressings are sterile material, such as gauze, that is applied over a wound surface or site of a surgery.

Question 22

Define bandages

Answer 22

Bandages are applied on top of dressings to keep the dressings in place. They also provide protection and extra padding for the wound. Bandages do not need to be sterile, although they should be clean.

Question 23

A may stand…

Answer 23

Is the table used to hold instruments

Question 24

Define a stethoscope

Answer 24

The stethoscope is used to listen to body sounds and to measure a patient’s blood pressure.

Question 25

What equipment is needed with the stethoscope?

Answer 25

Stethoscope, alcohol wipes

Question 26

Define an otoscope.

Answer 26

An otoscope is a tool used to examine the eardrum and external auditory canal.

Question 27

What equipment is needed when using an otoscope?

Answer 27

Otoscope, variety of speculum sizes, light source

Question 28

What is the steps for using an otoscope?

Answer 28

1. Wash hands.
2. Identify the patient and explain the procedure.
3. Choose a speculum size that is appropriate for the patient’s ear canals and fit it to
   the otoscope. Children have narrower canals and will require a narrower speculum than adults. It is possible, though, that a small adult will have a smaller canal than a large child.
4. Hold the otoscope in the hand of the same side as the ear you are about to examine.
5. Hold the otoscope like you would hold a pencil. The pencil grip feels natural and gives you good control. Also, it lets you rest the side of your hand on the patient’s temple. This provides more stability if the patient moves suddenly, which is common with children.
6. If one ear is healthy, examine it first to prevent possible spread of infection. It also provides a visual of what the patient’s “normal” ear looks like. This allows you to compare it with the other ear.
7. Straighten the ear canal. For children less than 3 years of age, pull the pinna down and back. Age 3 and older, pull the pinna up and back.
8. Rest your hand against the side of the patient’s temple while you slowly introduce the otoscope into the canal.
9. Look for redness, swelling, discharge and anything else that appears different from the healthy ear.
10. Record your findings in the patient’s chart.

Question 29

What is glaucoma?

Answer 29

Glaucoma occurs when the pressure in the eye increases to the point that it can damage the eye.

Question 30

What happens if glaucoma isn’t treated?

Answer 30

Blindness

Question 31

Lighted instrument that reveals a view of the inside of the eye.

Answer 31

Ophthalmoscope