Module 3

Question 1

What does the term negligence mean in nursing?

Answer 1

Failure to provide care or perform a duty that a reasonably prudent nurse would do.

Question 2

In relation to negligence what is highlighted in the ANMC code of conduct and how does this relate to your nursing practice?

Answer 2

Failure to act in a professional manner, and providing care to a standard that may be considered negligent, is considered a breach of conduct and threatens one’s professional registration.

Question 3

When do we need to gain consent from our patients?

Answer 3

Prior to undertaking any procedure.

Failure to obtain consent means that all care & interventions are considered assault. Gaining consent also improves patient compliance with care procedures and improves patient satisfaction. It protects both patient and the health professional.

Question 4

What does duty of care mean?

Answer 4

A legal obligation which is imposed on an individual requiring adherence to a standard of reasonable care while performing any acts that could foreseeably harm others. Nurses have a duty of care to their patients, and hospitals have a cut of care to their staff.

Question 5

What is Quantitative research?

Answer 5

Involves the systematic collection of numerical information which is analysed using mathematically based methods (refers to counts and measures of things).
Includes:
Clinical trials
Cohort studies
Controlled trials
Systematic reviews/meta-analysis

Question 6

What is Qualitative research?

Answer 6

Exploratory research used to gain an understanding of a particular phenomenon, thus develop an understanding of peoples comprehension, feelings, experiences, opinions and motivations regarding a particular topic.
Collecting, analysing and interpreting data by observing what people say or do.
Used to identify phenomena or postulate a hypothesis.
Includes:
Open-ended questionnaires
Interview (singular or group)
Behavioural/anecdotal observation
Transactional analysis
Grounded theory
Phenomenology

Question 7

What are the most common conditions in patients which an intermittent catheter (IMC) would be used as a nursing intervention?

Answer 7

Pre/post abdominal, pelvic or rectal surgery/investigations
Determine residual urine - urinary retention, bladder disorders
Allow irrigation of bladder - post prostate surgery, bladder trauma
Bypass an obstruction - tumour, bladder stones
Introduce cytotoxic drugs for treatment of papillary, bladder carcinomas
Reduce moisture and promote wound healing in genitorinary areas - trauma, burns, pressure injuries.

Question 8

What are the principles of aseptic technique?

Answer 8

“Aseptic technique protects patients during invasive clinical procedures by employing infection control measures that minimise, as far as practicably possible, the presence of pathogenic organisms.” (Queensland Health, 2015)

While the principles of aseptic technique remain constant for all procedures, the level of practice will change depending upon a standard risk assessment.

RCP insight
Principles of aseptic technique – Top Ten Tips

Asepsis is defined as the absence of pathogenic organisms. Aseptic technique is used to describe clinical procedures such as the insertion of intravascular devices, urinary catheterisation and lumber puncture.

• minimise the risk of transmission of pathogens to susceptible sites and persons
• clean surfaces that sterile packs are to be placed upon
• ensure all fluids and materials used are sterile and check sterile packs for evidence of damage or moisture penetration
• hand decontamination must be undertaken prior to any procedure
• use sterile gloves if susceptible body sites are likely to be touched, or if the sterility of devices needs to be maintained during the procedure
• use maximal sterile barriers precautions, including a sterile gown, sterile gloves, and a large sterile drape, for the insertion of central venous access devices
• ensure contaminated/non-sterile items are not placed in the sterile field
• do not reuse single use items, even on the same patient
• do not continue to use sterile items if they become contaminated during the procedure
• reduce activity in the immediate vicinity of the area in which the procedure is to be performed to reduce the risk of airborne contamination

www.rcplondon.ac.uk/sites/default/files/top-ten-tips-principles-of-aseptic-technique.pdf