Patient Care and Communication Flashcards
Define Health
WHO defined human health as a “state of complete, physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Holistic Medicine
Natural. Treating whole health, not just physical.
Patient Definition
A healthcare recipient who is ill or hospitalized.
Client Definition
A recipient of healthcare regardless of their state of health.
“Customers” or “Consumers”
Physical Health
Physical manifestations of symptoms that produce a condition.
Spiritual Health
Can be a significant part of their state of health.
Intellectual Health
Cognitive abilities.
Emotional Health
Family, Friends, Connections…
Empathy Definition
Ability to understand and share the feelings of another
Sympathy Definition
Feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else’s misfortune.
Apathy Defnition
Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
Autonomy Definition
Freedom from external control or influence; independence.
Assessment Definition
Evaluation or estimation of the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something (collecting pt. history).
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
- Physiological Needs… Food, Shelter, Oxygen.
- Safety and Security
- Need to be loved and give love
- Self-Esteem: accepted by others
- Self-Actualization: Creative, Confident, Successful.
Patient Safety
Above All, do not harm.
Position for comfort and safety during exams.
Problem-Solving: Critical Thinking
Patient Assessment
Physical Status
Emotional Status
Patient Comprehension
Cultural Diversity
Critical C’s
Compassion
Caring
Communication
Competence
Confidentiality
Compliance
Confidence
Charting
Critical Thinking
Compassion/Caring
Patient Dignity
Patient Respect
Patient Autonomy
Empathy
Competence
Obtain pt. History
Positioning Skills
Knowledge of Procedures
Exposure/Technique Skills
Equipment Use
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Compliance
Follow Policy and Procedure of the Department and Hospital
Work within your scope of practice
Standard of Care
Patient Interview/History
Obtaining an accurate pt. history is part of every exam
Radiologists need this info to help interpret images
Save time by taking history while prepping for exam
Chief Complaint: Primary medical problem as determined by pt.
Questioning Skills
Open Ended Questions: Let pt. tell the story
Facilitation (nod, “yes”, “ok”) encourages elaboration
Silence: Gives time for pt. to remember
Probing Questions: Provides more Detail
Repetition: Clarifies info
Summarization: verifies accuracy
Elements of Clinical History
Localization
Chronology
Quality
Severity
Onset
Aggravating or Alleviating Factors
Associated Manifestations
Localization
Precise area of pt’s complaint
Chronology
Duration since onset, frequency, and course of symptoms
Quality
Describes character of symptoms
Severity
Intensity, Quantity, or extensiveness of the problem
Onset
What the pt. was doing upon onset of symptoms
Aggravating or Alleviating Factors
What makes it worse or better?
Associated Manifestations
Are other symptoms related to chief complaint?
Confidence
Become unconsciously competent to become confident
Confidence instills pt’s trust
Confidentiality
Privacy
HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
HIPPA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
Failure to abide by HIPPA Mandates may lead to disciplinary procedures, termination, jail.
Charting
pt’s chart is a legal document
Use blue/black ink
Initial Entries
Don’t use whiteout - make one line through mistake and initial
Maintain confidentiality
Communication
Verbal: Clarity, tone of voice, avoid med terms, pt. fears
Non-Verbal: Body language, touch, listening
Flexibility/Adaptability
Touch
Most often considered therapeutic.
Indicated for palpation of positioning, emotional support, emphasis of communication.
*Beware of cultural differences
Communicating with Culturally Diverse Patients
Show Respect
Treat Equally
Be Aware of verbal and non-verbal cues
Ask for Clarification
Use Pantomime
Use Interpreter
Be Assertive
Aphasic Patients
Don’t speak loud
Use flashcards
Ask “yes” “no” questions
Be Patient
Use pad and pencil
Chemically Dependent Patients
Be Patient
Prepare for Combative, Disoriented, and Agitated Behavior.
Varies w/ drug.
Geriatric Patients
- Address by name, not pet names.
- Don’t assume they are hard of hearing.
- Takes more time to complete exam.
- Ask for clarification of instructions
- Be aware of decubitus ulcers (bed sores)
- Atrophy (loss of muscle)
- Comfort and Safety
- Fear of falling
Young Adults/Teens
Modesty
Privacy
Parental Involvement for consent
Pediatric Patients
Get on eye level
Simplify Language
Give a toy
Parents: Can help hold
Never say hurt
Trauma Patient
- Monitor, Assess, Evaluate
- Never leave unattended
- Avoid Aspiration
- Be aware of spinal injury precautions
- STAT (Within 30 mins)
Things to look for with Trauma Patients
Head Injuries
MVA
GSW
MI
CVA
AMA
Triage
Sort patients by injury and need of medical attention
MVA
Motor Vehicle Accident
GSW
Gunshot Wound
MI
Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
CVA
Cerebrovascular Accident (stroke)
AMA
Against Medical Advice (Typically discharge)
Terminally and Chronically Ill Patients
Hospice Care
Palliative Care
Loss of Autonomy
Common fears of Terminally and Chronically Ill patients
Illness is punishment
Burden to family
Less valuable person
Isolation
Kubler-Ross Grieving Process
Denial: acting as if nothing is wrong/cannot deal with treatment decisions
Anger: pts and family will act out their anger towards others
Bargaining: pts and family accept reality and become open to suggestions for medical treatment
Depression: Finally realizing impending loss
Acceptance: final stage (aware of mortality)
