Procedures for observations, taking samples

Question 1

Hand-washing Technique

Answer 1

5 Moments of handwashing before touching pt, before procedure, after procedure/bodily fluid exposure, after touching pt, after touching pts surroundings.
+
Hand turning the tap on in a sink
1. Wet your hands with water.
2. Apply enough soap to cover your hand
3. Rub your hands together.
4. Use one hand to rub the back of the other hand and clean in between the fingers. Do the same with the other hand.
5. Rub your hands together and clean in between your fingers.
6. Grip the fingers of each hand together with the backs of your fingers against the palms of your other hand. Rub your fingertips together and rub the back of your fingers against your palms.
7. Rub one thumb using your other hand. Do the same with the other thumb.
8. Rub the tips of your fingers on the palm of your other hand. Do the same with other hand.
9. Rinse your hands with water.
10. Dry your hands completely with a disposable towel.
11. Use the disposable towel to turn off the tap.

Question 2

Donning and doffing

Answer 2

apron
mask
goggles
gloves

gloves
hand hygiene
apron
hand hygiene
goggles
hand hygiene
mask etc
hand hygiene

Question 3

Procedures

Answer 3

introduce & explain
Wash hands
PPE
Explain through everything

Question 4

BP

Answer 4

The patient should be resting for at least 5 minutes

They should not have their feet/legs crossed.

Their arm should be in line with their heart.

They should not be talking, eating or drinking whilst being taken.

The cuff should be the right size.

You should feel for the brachial pulse
Systolic is the first sound you hear.
Diastolic is the last sound you hear

Mark a cross for the systolic reading and a cross for the diastolic reading and join with a dashed line.

Question 5

Practical tasks consideration

Answer 5

• PCC
• H&S
• Infection control
• Consent
• Correct use of equipment
• Documentation

Question 6

carrying out practical activites & checks after

Answer 6

before
Read the brief fully. What is it asking you to do? Make the most of the 5 mins prep time.

Introduce yourself/greet the patient.

Explain what you have been asked to do and gain consent.

Gather equipment together – ensure it is clean and in working order (be obvious that you are checking it)

Wash your hands properly (happy birthday to you) and dry with paper towel.
Put on appropriate PPE for the task

During
Check that the patient understands and is happy for you to continue.

Use the patient’s name when talking to them (check paperwork to see if they have expressed how they like to be addressed)

Explain what you are doing and check they are happy for you to continue.

Reassure as required

Remember observations require the patient to sit quietly.

Consider H&S – yours, theirs and others
Consider Infection Control – cross contamination, spillages etc

on completion
Let the patient know you have finished and thank them for their co-operation/patience.

Clear away equipment, debris etc.

Clean any equipment down with anti-bacterial wipes and put away.

Remove PPE and wash hands.

Ensure that the patient has their call bell and anything else they require.

Ask the patient if there is anything else you can do for them before you move on.

Document care given in the daily care log/observation charts etc.

Antibac hands.

Question 7

Tympanic thermometer

Answer 7

• Ensure you gain informed consent.
• Use a disposable probe cover.
• Briefly examine the ear to look for earwax.
• Align the probe with the ear canal and gently place in the ear.
• Press the scan button, remove from the ear as soon as display shows done. Read the temperature.
• Obtain a reading from both ears and take the higher reading.
• Compare the readings with the previous readings