pod 1 Flashcards
difference between medical and surgical asepsis
- Medical asepsis: procedures used to reduce and prevent the spread of microorganisms (hand hygiene, clean gloves = prevent contact with bodily fluids and cleaning environment frequently aids in medical asepsis)
Surgical asepsis: procedures used to eliminate all microorganisms (object considered contaminated when touched by something that is not sterile)
Difference: medical = reduce and prevent the spread of microorganisms & surgical = complete removal of microorganisms
What are the links in the chain of infection and why is it important for psychiatric nurses to understand the infectious process?
Infectious agent (pathogen)
A reservoir (source for the pathogen growth (in person, equipment, environment, food or water))
Portal of exit of reservoir (sneezes, coughing)
Mode of transmission (direct, indirect, vehicle, vector)
Portal of entry into host (example: entry through a wound)
Susceptible host
To break the chain so that infections do not develop and reduce risk of passing on infections to patients (importance of hand hygiene)
What do you call an infection that is acquired in a hospital/health care institution?
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) or nosocomial infections
What are the most common microorganisms found in health-care associated infections?
Clostridium difficult (C. Diff)
Catheter-associated UTIs
Ventilator-associated pneumonia
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
What are MRSA and Clostridium difficile, and how might they be spread in hospitals?
MRSA and C. Diff are HAIs
They spread in hospitals by direct contact and improper hand hygiene, improper cleaning of environments, not using PPE, and improper antibiotic stewardship
How are HIV and the hepatitis B and C viruses transmitted?
Through the exchange of bodily fluids like sharing needles, syringes or sexual experiences
How could the psychiatric nurse be exposed to pathogenic blood or body fluids in the work place?
Needlesticks or cuts, through direct contact and other sharps equipment that is contaminated with a patient’s bodily fluids
How do psychiatric nurses control or reduce their risk of contact with blood or body fluids that may be infected?
Getting vaccinated, washing hands frequently, handling sharps properly, cleaning and disinfecting spills, using PPE, practicing cough etiquette, staying home if sick,
What does WorkSafe BC recommend to health care providers should they experience an exposure incident? What exposure incidents are potentially harmful?
IMMEDIATELY WASH HANDS AND ANY OTHER SKIN WITH SOAP AND WATER, FLUSHING OUT MUCOUS MEMBRANES, INFORM SUPERVISOR AND COMPLETE APPROPRIATE INCIDENT REPORT
What are the different types of personal protective equipment used by psychiatric nurses to maintain isolation precautions?
Gowns, masks, protective eye wear, and gloves
What are the procedures for donning and doffing personal protective equipment?
Donning: hand hygiene, gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
Doffing: gloves, hand hygiene, gown, hand hygiene, eye protection, hand hygiene, mask, hand hygiene
What are the practices used for the disposal of soiled equipment and supplies by psychiatric nurses to maintain standard precautions?
USE APPROPRIATE BINS, SHARPS, SOILED LINEN BIN, PULP MACERATOR FOR HUMAN WASTE
contact precautions
Contact precautions: prevent transition of infectious agents through direct or indirect exposure (C. Diff) & wear a gown and gloves for all interactions, private room, limiting patient movement outside isolation room
airborne precautions
Airborne precautions: for known or suspected infections caused by microbes transmitted by airborne droplets (varicella, TB) & private room (door closed), respiratory protection device (N95)
droplet precautions
Droplet precautions: for known or suspected infections caused by microbes transmitted by droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, or talking (rubella, mumps, influenza) & private room (door closed unless bed 2m from door), mask worn when within 2m from patient
identify common types of isolation precautions
- contact, airborne, droplet
What considerations will be made to maintain psychosocial well-being of patients on isolation precautions?
Providing education to the patient and family on the isolation precautions, taught proper hand hygiene, improve patients sensory stimulation (environment should be clean, blinds open, and extra equipment removed), listen to patient’s concerns, providing comfort, encourage movement, recreational activities if permitted)
What are the nurse’s professional and legal responsibilities in preparing and administering medications safely?
Following and understanding legal provisions when administering controlled substances
Must understand patient’s diagnosis, why giving medication, and symptoms that might be associated with the medication
Must follow the 7 right’s and 3 medication checks
What is the safe time frame that a medication may be administered?
30 minutes before or after the original ordered time
What should the nurse do if the patient is unable to hold the medication cup?
PLACE THE MEDICINE CUP TO THE PATIENT’S LIPS & GENTLY INTRODUCE EACH DRUG INTO THE MONTH ONE AT A TIME
What interventions can the nurse use if the medication has an objectionable taste?
- mix with something else to try and mask the taste, crushing it up
In your textbook, what are the 10 rights of medication administration?
Right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time & frequency, right documentation, right reason, right to refuse, right patient education, right evaluation
When are the 3 checks performed for medication preparation?
- checking the medication with the MAR or medication information system when removing it from the medication storage area
- checking the medication when preparing it, pouring it, taking it out of the unit-dose container or connecting the IV tubing to the bag
- checking the medication before administering it to the patient
What are the steps that the nurse must take when she/he is in the process of administering medications?
- TWO PATIENT IDENTIFIERS
- COMPARE MAR TO PATIENT WRISTBAND
- ASSESS FOR ALLERGIES
- ADMINISTER MEDICATIONS ONLY PREPARED BY SELF
Describe how to administer an oral medication.
When is the oral route for medication administration contraindicated?
Decreased level of consciousness
Nausea, vomiting
Swallowing difficulties, risk for aspiration
Nothing by mouth (NPO) status – surgery, tests, interventions
How does the nurse pour medications from a ward stock container?
Pour the medication into medication cap and then transfer the medication cup (do not touch)
Higher rate of medication error when dispensing medications