Module 6

Question 1

Environmental safety concerns related to: oxygen

Answer 1

• Must always remain aware with what will affect oxygen levels in patient’s environment
• CO is very harmful, can cause death

Question 2

Environmental safety concerns related to: nutrition

Answer 2

• Unsanitary foods can affect client if it is not initially cleaned properly
• Can cause food poisoning from ingesting bacteria from uncleaned foods
• Food poisoning can be prevented with proper hand washing, storage,

Question 3

Environmental safety concerns related to: temperature and humidity

Answer 3

• Comfortable external temperature = 18.3 to 23.9 celcius
o Hypothermia happens when body temperature falls to 35 or lower
• Comfortable humidity is from 60-70%, high humidity levels can help liquefy pulmonary secretions

Question 4

Environmental safety concerns related to: lighting

Answer 4

• Properly illuminated areas can prevent accidents i.e. falling, tripping and eliminates household crime

Question 5

Environmental safety concerns related to: obstacles

Answer 5

• Anything that can get in the way of movement can cause a great amount of injury

Question 6

Environmental safety concerns related to: fire

Answer 6

• Often caused by careless smoking, cooking

o Deaths occur from smoke inhalation

Question 7

Environmental safety concerns related to: poisoning

Answer 7

• Can cause death if ingested, inhaled or absorbed by the blood
• Poisons cause impairment of respiratory, circulatory, central nervous, hepatic and renal systems

Question 8

Environmental safety concerns related to: security

Answer 8

• Making sure unit is safe and adequate to live in, safe locks and windows can prevent theft and injury

Question 9

Environmental safety concerns related to: pollution

Answer 9

• Consist of air, land and water which are all chemical or wastes that are harmful to a person
• Noise pollutants i.e. noise level that may make it uncomfortable

Question 10

List environmental risks associated with: infants and children

Answer 10

• Young children are curious and trust the environment, i.e. water and don’t realize they are in danger
• Increased oral activity with young age, adds potential to consume poison

Question 11

List environmental risks associated with: Adolescents

Answer 11

• Peer pressure: may act out and cause harm to themselves and others, often through substance abuse
• Urge to experience with substances can cause accidents i.e. motor vehicle or ingestion overdoses

Question 12

List environmental risks associated with: Adults

Answer 12

• Lifestyle habits i.e. long term smoking, alcohol abuse while driving are harmful and can cause illness or accidents

Question 13

List environmental risks associated with: older adults

Answer 13

• Physical aging process affects a client and puts them at risk for injury
• Become less mobile and agile

Question 14

How does each contribute to individual risk: Lifestyle

Answer 14

• Increase safety risks

* Individuals that are under the influence of alcohol, drugs are more prone to accidents

Question 15

How does each contribute to individual risk: impaired mobility

Answer 15

• Affects person physically and emotionally, increases chance of falls

Question 16

How does each contribute to individual risk: sensory or communication impairment

Answer 16

• Language barriers present greater risk for injury.

* Being unable to interpret when something is dangerous or when assistance is needed

Question 17

How does each contribute to individual risk: lack of safety awareness

Answer 17

• Clients need to realize when expiry dates are due for both foods and children
• Keeping drugs out of reach of children

Question 18

What are the 3 components of WHMIS

Answer 18

labels, MSDS sheets, education and training

Question 19

How does the health care agency environment pose an environment risk to patients and workers: Workplace risks

Answer 19

• Chemicals can be toxic if injected or inhaled

* Improper labeling and recordings can cause harm to other works and possible equipment related accidents

Question 20

How does the health care agency environment pose an environment risk to patients and workers: falls

Answer 20

• Often occur with older age or when client isn’t well
• Happens when people attempt to go to the bathroom at night
• Drug use is also implicated in falls
• Falls can increase length of stay in health care facilities, which means the client could have a greater risk to stay longer

Question 21

How does the health care agency environment pose an environment risk to patients and workers: patient-inherent accidents

Answer 21

• Accidents that are caused by the client (cuts, burns, ingestion or injection etc.)

Question 22

How does the health care agency environment pose an environment risk to patients and workers: procedure related accidents

Answer 22

• If not done or shown properly, accidents may occur during therapy (i.e. medications, wrong way of insertion)

Question 23

How does the health care agency environment pose an environment risk to patients and workers: equipment related accidents

Answer 23

• Improper, malfunctions or misuse of equipment

* Checklist should be provided to make sure procedure is done properly (i.e. infusion of intravenous)

Question 24

What 5 elements of health history should be assessed to help determine client safety?

Answer 24

• Client’s gait, muscle strength, coordination, balance, and vision should be assessed.
• Important to check client’s history of meds and other environmental hazards they may have been exposed to

Question 25

Describe health promotion strategies a nurse can use to prevent injuries at home and in health care setting: Developmental interventions for adults & older adults

Answer 25

• Adults: nurses can promote stress management centres, health promotion activities and employee assistance programs to help motivate adults to change lifestyle in a positive way
• Older adults: nurses will recommend the use of medication organizers to help remind them to take them and allow them to see that they have already taken it if they forget
o Color coded water faucets and turning down the water thermostat can help prevent burns and scalds
o Re-educate client for safe driving, keep the window and stereo down if they have hearing problems
o At night wear reflectors while walking, walk on sidewalk not the road, cross at corners not in the middle of the road, cross with traffic lights not against them, look left right and left again when crossing

Question 26

Describe health promotion strategies a nurse can use to prevent injuries at home and in health care setting: fires

Answer 26

• Set up smoke detectors, fire extinguishers plan of action, exit route, location where family members can meet and to practice at least twice a year
• Make sure client knows to “stop, drop and roll” in case they catch fire
• Medical assistances will shut off all oxygen suppliers and use extinguishers appropriately

Question 27

Describe health promotion strategies a nurse can use to prevent injuries at home and in health care setting: fall prevention

Answer 27

• Clients in wheel chairs and beds should be properly supported and side rails will be necessary when using the bathroom
• Locks on wheelchairs and beds can also keep a client safe and unnecessary clutter and equipment should be put away
• Ensure that client can call for help whenever needed, extra help can prevent injuries as well
• Nurses should be checking on clients every hour if necessary

Question 28

Describe health promotion strategies a nurse can use to prevent injuries at home and in health care setting: other environmental interventions

Answer 28

• Ensure that oxygen levels are at a good stat, have home inspections for heating systems, chimneys, and appliances. Consider having a carbon monoxide detector. Make sure there is proper food handling; washing and checking for spoilage; and proper refrigeration. Make sure that while outside the patient should have ways to prevent frostbite; hypothermia; heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Adequate lighting is also needed to prevent injuries. Proper lock on windows and doors to keep client safe from break ins. Bio hazardous equipment should be properly disposed (needles, and syringes).

Question 29

Describe health promotion strategies a nurse can use to prevent injuries at home and in health care setting: restraints

Answer 29

• Physical, chemical or environmental means of controlling an individual’s behaviour, use of restraints must be guided by patients needs and requires a thorough assessment by you and other members of the multidisciplinary team involved in the patient’s care.

Question 30

Describe health promotion strategies a nurse can use to prevent injuries at home and in health care setting: side rails

Answer 30

• Side rails help increase a client’s stability and mobility
• On a stretcher or bed they prevent client’s from falling out
• Nurses must assess client’s situation, because some clients may be dazed and confused and feel restricted in a bed with rails and may cause injuries
• As a result, the bed rails should be put in the lowest position

Question 31

Describe health promotion strategies a nurse can use to prevent injuries at home and in health care setting: electrical hazards

Answer 31

• All electrical cords should be 3 pronged. The third prong (bottom one) is the one that makes the electrical current grounded which prevents people from getting an electrical shock
• If someone receives a shock and pulse stops, cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be initiated
• If pulse remains consistent, check the vital signs of the patient and assess the skin for thermal injury

Question 32

Describe health promotion strategies a nurse can use to prevent injuries at home and in health care setting: radiation

Answer 32

• Make sure you properly dispose and clean all radioactive materials, and shield yourself effectively with lead aprons when using radiation on a client

Question 33

Describe nursing interventions that make room environment comfortable in hospital setting

Answer 33

• Making sure the room is safe, clean and large enough to allow visitors to come
• Noise and odours are controlled in a comfortable manner
• Room remains neat

Question 34

Define fowler’s bed position

Answer 34

• Head of bed raised to 45 degree angle or more

Question 35

example of when you would use fowler’s bed position

Answer 35

eating

Question 36

Define Semi-Fowler’s bed position

Answer 36

• Head of bed is raised to 30 degree angle

Question 37

example of when you would use semi-fowler’s bed position

Answer 37

helps with lung expansion, used when clients are receiving gastric feedings to reduce regurgitation)

Question 38

define Troedelenburg’s bed position

Answer 38

• Entire bed frame is tilted so head is slightly more down

Question 39

example of use of Troedelenburg’s bed position

Answer 39

used for postural drainage

Question 40

define reverse Troedelenburg’s bed position

Answer 40

• Bed frame is tilted so feet are more down

Question 41

example of use of reverse Troedelenburg’s bed position

Answer 41

promotes gastric emptying

Question 42

define flat bed position

Answer 42

bed is horizontal

Question 43

when would you use flat bed position

Answer 43

sleeping, vertebral injuries