Patient Complications Flashcards
ALLERGY TO EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
Adhesive Allergy
Antiseptic Allergy
Latex Allergy
place folded gauze square over the site; remove it after 15 minutes
Adhesive Allergy
instruct patient to hold pressure for 5 minutes in lieu of applying a
bandage
Adhesive Allergy
Alternate antiseptics should be readily available
Antiseptic Allergy
wear non latex gloves
Latex Allergy
use a nonlatex tourniquet
Latex Allergy
use nonlatex bandages
Latex Allergy
Adhesive Allergy
● place folded gauze square over the site; remove it after _________
15 minutes
Adhesive Allergy
● instruct patient to hold pressure for ________ in lieu of applying a
______
5 minutes
bandage
EXCESSIVE BLEEDING
● patients on ____ or anticoagulant therapy
aspirin or anticoagulant therapy
maintain pressure over the site until the bleeding stops
EXCESSIVE BLEEDING
if the bleeding continues after ______ notify appropriate
personnel
5 minutes,
never apply a pressure bandage instead of ______
maintaining pressure
do not leave or dismiss a patient until bleeding has stopped
EXCESSIVE BLEEDING
if the bleeding continues after 5 minutes, notify appropriate
personnel
EXCESSIVE BLEEDING
patients on aspirin or anticoagulant therapy
EXCESSIVE BLEEDING
maintain pressure over the site until the bleeding stops
EXCESSIVE BLEEDING
if the bleeding continues after 5 minutes, notify appropriate
personnel
EXCESSIVE BLEEDING
Temporary loss of consciousness due to insufficiency of
blood flow to brain
FAINTING / SYNCOPE
FAINTING / SYNCOPE :
○ Temporary loss of consciousness due to insufficiency of
____
blood flow to brain
Sudden faintness or loss of consciousness due to a nervous system
response to abrupt pain, stress, or trauma
Vasovagal syncope
2nd most common complication
Vasovagal syncope
relating to vagus nerve action on blood vessels
Vasovagal syncope
Vasovagal syncope
Sudden faintness or loss of consciousness due to _________
a nervous system
response to abrupt pain, stress, or trauma
Syncope :Contributing factors (9)
○ Patient is ill
○ Hypoglycemia
○ Anemia
○ Dehydration
○ Emotional problems
○ Fatigue
○ Hyperventilation
○ Needle phobia
○ Poor compromised breathing
(a sensation of spinning)
vertigo
pallor
(paleness)
Signs of Syncope
● pallor (paleness)
● beads of sweat on the forehead
● hyperventilation
● indication from the patient that he or she is experiencing vertigo (a
sensation of spinning), dizziness
light-headedness, or nausea
Steps to Follow if a Patient Starts to Faint During Venipuncture
- Release the tourniquet, remove & discard needle.
- Apply pressure to the site while having the patient lower the head and breathe deeply.
- Talk to the patient.
- Physically support the patient.
- Ask permission to loosen tight collar or tie or belt.
- Apply cold compress or wet washcloth to the forehead and back of the neck.
- Have someone stay with the patient until full recovery.
- Call first aid personnel if the patient does not respond.
- Document the incident.
1st step if Patient Starts to Faint During Venipuncture
Release the tourniquet, remove & discard needle.
last step if Patient Starts to Faint During Venipuncture
Document the incident.
NAUSEA and VOMITING
● patient is nauseous or show signs similar to fainting?
○ blood draw should not be attempted until the feeling subsides
○ blood draw that is in progress should be discontinued
NAUSEA and VOMITING
● What to do?
○ Ask the patient to breathe slowly and deeply
○ Apply a cold, damp washcloth or other cold compress to the patient’s
forehead
PAIN
● Remove needle immediately
● Signs of nerve involvement:
○ Marked or extreme pain, numbness of the arm, a burning or electric-shock
sensation, or pain that radiates up or down the arm
● Pain persists after needle removal?
○ Apply of an ice pack to the site
● Document the incident if the condition persists
Signs of nerve involvement
Marked or extreme pain,
numbness of the arm,
burning or electric-shock sensation,
pain that radiates up or down the arm
Document the incident if the condition persists
PAIN
Pain persists after needle removal?
○ Apply of an ice pack to the site
PETECHIAE
○ tiny, non-raised red (or purple) spots that appear on the patient’s skin when a tourniquet is applied.
○ minute drops of blood that escape the capillaries
○ result of capillary wall defects or platelet abnormalities
PETECHIAE
○ ________ that appear
on the patient’s skin when a tourniquet is
applied.
tiny, non-raised red (or purple) spots
result of capillary wall defects or ______
platelet abnormalities
result of capillary wall defects or platelet abnormalities
PETECHIAE
SEIZURES and CONVULSIONS
● Discontinue the draw immediately
● Hold pressure over the site
● Do not attempt to put anything into the patient’s mouth
● Notify the appropriate fi rst-aid personnel
Patient Complications
Allergy to equipment and supplies
Excessive Bleeding
Fainting/Syncope
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain
Petechiae
Seizures and Convulsions
