Patient Interactions Flashcards
Advanced Directive
Legal document prepared by the living to provide guidelines to healthcare team in case of incapacitation
Communication
Exchange of information, thoughts and messages. Includes interpersonal rapport and accurate conveyance of information.
Emotional Intelligence
Ability to evaluate, perceive and control emotions
Gerontology
Pertaining to the study of older adults
Inpatient
Someone who has been admitted to the hospital for diagnostic studying/treatment
What are Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?
Model of a human which progresses in 7 layers on an ascending level of how essential the needs are to survive?
What are the 7 layers of Maslow’s Hierarchy?
- Physiological
- Safety & Security
- Belongingness & Love
- Self Esteem & Respect
- Need to know & understanding
- Aesthetics
- Self Actualization
Non-verbal communication
Exchange of information, thoughts or messages using methods other than speech
Outpatient
Someone who comes to a healthcare facility for diagnosis or treatment but do not occupy a bed overnight
Palpation
Application of light pressure with fingers to find body landmarks
Paralanguage
Music of language; cadence and rhythm of speech
Patient Assessment
Objective evaluation & determination of the status of patients
Patient autonomy
Ability & right of patients to make independent decisions about their medical care
Verbal communication
Messages sent using spoken word
What are good skills of a radiongrapher?
- Fulfilling patient needs
- Being able to effectively direct a patients actions
- Obtaining patients cooperation
Why is it essential to obtain patient cooperation?
To obtain quality images
How should a radiographers communication be?
Patient focused, accurate and timely
What should a technologist always communicate within?
Scope of practice
What is feedback?
Response of a patient to questioning
What are some forms of feedback?
Verbal or non verbal
What is an example of non verbal feedback?
When the patient successfully assumes radiographic positions
What fears do patients encounter with imaging?
- Fear of the unknown
- Fear of pain and discomfort
- Fear of loss and control
What are patient behaviors and emotions guided by?
The condition
How do some patients act as a result of their circumstances?
Angry, aggressive or despondent
What personal needs should you have as a technologist?
- helping others
- working with people
- making a difference
- thinking critically
- demonstrating creativity
- achieving results
What happens when personal needs are met?
- increase confidence in technical ability
- better cooperation
What does patient dignity deal with?
Deals with a patient’s self esteem
How does a radiologist ensure patient dignity?
By focusing on their needs and treating them with respect
What other ways can a radiographer maintain patient dignity?
- gain patient’s confidence
- offer support
- position with sensitivity
- treat with empathy
- address patient with respect
What is empathy?
The ability to recognize and to some extent share the emotions/state of mind of another
Who else should a radiographer extend respect and care to?
Patient’s family or friends in attendance with them
What are the first steps of patient interaction?
- Patient assessment
- Introducing yourself
What should be done during patient interactions?
- Use patient name and ask preference
- Confirm identity
- Explain procedure in terms they understand
- Obtain and brief/relevant history
- Obtain informed consent
What are qualities of an inpatient?
- Someone admitted to a hospital that occupies and bed for more than 24 hours
- Previous stays often shape their attitude
What are qualities of an outpatient?
- Someone visiting a hospital temporarily for treatment or diagnostic testing
-Arrive to the facility with preconceived expectations - Have schedules to contend with
Who gives the results of x-rays?
Radiographers ONLY. Radiologists should never give results and always defer patient requests to their doctor
What should always be checked before x-raying or assisting patients?
Contraindications
What is a contraindication?
A condition that makes a particular treatment inadvisable
- Ex: Having a non-weight bearing patient stand for a CXR (chest x-ray)
What are examples of verbal communication?
- Vocabulary
- Clarity of voice
- Diction
When should your communication vary with patients?
- Age
- Sex
- Physical/mental condition
- Culture
- Socioeconomic background
- Education
What are examples of non-verbal communication?
Body gestures, touch, physical appearance, facial expressions and eye contact
What percent of communication is non-verbal?
80-90%
What are 3 types of acceptable patient touch?
Touching for emotional support, emphasis and palpation
What is touching for emotional support?
Using touch to reassure patients, like holding their hand
What is touching for emphasis?
Helping to position a patient, like helping turn their hand laterally for a certain position
What is touching for palpation?
The application of light pressure with the palm or hand or fingers to locate body landmarks
What are some legal issues of touching a patient?
Battery
What is Battery?
Unlawful touching of another person that is without justification or cause
What are some examples of medical battery?
- touching a patient without consent or explanation
- performing a study against a patient’s will
- physical harm as the result of an exam (x-raying the wrong patient)
What are various types of patients?
- Seriously ill or traumatized
- Visually impaired
- Speech and hearing impaired
- Non- English speaking patients
- Mentally impaired patients
- Substance abusers
What are some qualities of a seriously ill or traumatized patient?
- may not be able to communicate or cooperate
- may be unconscious
What are guidelines for treating ill and traumatized patients?
- Evaluate vital signs and watch for changes
- work quickly and efficiently
How should you work with a visually impaired patient?
- Always announce your presence and identify yourself
- Ask the patient how you may assist them
- Explain the sounds and environment
What type of communication do visually impaired patients rely on?
Verbal communication and touch
How should you work with a speech or hearing impaired patient?
- Demonstration or sign language
- If they can lip read, speak clearly and make sure you face them
- Decrease background noise
- Write down instructions if needed
- DO NOT SHOUT
What type of communication should be used with hearing impaired patients?
Visual or written
How to work with non-English speaking patients?
- Use an interpreter
- Use basic language (yes, no, stop)
- Address your questions to the patient and not their interpreter
What communication should be used with non-English speaking patients?
- Touch and demonstration
How to work with mentally impaired patients?
- Talk to the patient throughout the procedure
- Utilize the aid, attendant or family member accompanying the patient
- Immobilize the patient if needed
- Give simple instructions
How to work with a substance abuser patient?
- Expect all types of behaviors
- Immobilize the patient if needed
- Make sure the patient is safe and cannot hurt themselves
How to work with mobile and surgical radiography?
- Introduce yourself
- Treat patient with respect and dignity
- Explain the procedure and why leaving the room when exposing is necessary
- Show empathy with family and friends
What is not considered a barrier to effective communication?
Age
What are the 8 age groups?
- Infants (Birth-1 year)
- Toddlers (1-3 years)
- Preschoolers (3-5 years)
- School aged children (5-10 years)
- Adolescents (10-25 years)
- Young Adults (25-45 years)
- Middle aged adults (45-65 years)
- Mature adults (65 and older)
How should you work with pediatric patients?
- Patiently explain procedure in terms they understand
- Demonstrate the procedure and never leave child unattended
- Explain everything to parents/guardians
- Immobilize as needed
- Come down to child’s level to speak
- Talk slowly and less authoritatively
How should the exam room be setup for adolescent patients?
- Do setup before child enters the room
- Soften room lighting
- Avoid loud and dramatic equipment movements
What should not be done when working with older patients?
- Referring to them as geriatrics
- Using terms such as “Golden Agers” or senior citizens
- Leave the patient unattended, speak loudly or in childish terms
What should be done with working with older patients?
- Always treat them with respect
- Use gentle handling and pads on the table and under knees
- Use blankets to keep them warm
- Give clear directions and be patient
How to work with terminally ill patients?
- Let the patient guide the discussion and be understanding of their emotions
What are the stages of grief?
- Phase 1: Denial and isolation
- Phase 2: Anger
- Phase 3: Bargaining
- Phase 4: Depression
- Phase 5: Acceptance
Morals
A person’s standard of behavior or beliefs concerning what is and is not acceptable
Veracity
Conformity to facts, accuracy
Fidelity
Faithfulness to a person, cause or belief demonstrated by loyality
Ambulatory
Related to walking- ability to walk
Assault
Making a physical attack on
Bilateral
Affecting or relating to both sides of the body or both members of a paired organ
False imprisonment
Unjustified restraint or restraining a patient against their will
Libel
Written information that results in the defamation of character or loss of reputation
Metastasis
Medical term for the spread of cancer cells from the original tumor to other body parts
Nasogastric tube
A flexible plastic tube that is inserted through the nose and into the stomach or small intestine
Negligence
Unintentional misconduct
Medical Negligence / Malpractice
Occurs when a medical professional’s actions or omissions fail to meet the standard of care and injure a patient
Nonmalfecience
Ethical principle of doing no harm
Slander
Verbally spreading false information
Tort
Violation of civil law (personal injury law) may be intentional or negligence
Statutory disclosure
The requirement to disclose specific information in certain situations, as mandated by the government
Senility
The condition of being senile
Ventilator
A device for maintaining artificial respiration
Respondeat Superior
“The master speaks for the servant”
- Employer will be responsible for the employees actions, except in the case of negligence
Res Ipsa Loquitur
” the thing speaks for itself”
- Negligence is obvious
Patient’s Bill of Rights
informs the patient about their rights
ARRT
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
DNR
Do not resuscitate
ER
Emergency Room
W/C
Wheel Chair
AMB
Ambulatory
NG tube
Nasogastric Tube
