Safety Flashcards
What are the National Patient Safety Goals?
- Goal 1: Identify patients correctly
- Goal 2: Improve staff communication
- Goal 3: Use medicines safely
- Goal 6: Use alarms safely
- Goal 7: Prevent infection
- Goal 15: Identify patient safety risks (specifically, suicide risk)
- UP 1: Prevent mistakes in surgery
What is the role of nurses in creating a culture of safety?
Nurses have a key role in creating a culture of safety for the hospitalized client by being the most contact with clients and addressing safety concerns.
What is the purpose of hourly rounding?
Hourly rounding proactively addresses patients’ needs such as toileting, positioning, pain management, and safety checks.
What is a Never Event?
Healthcare-acquired complications that can cause serious injury or death to a patient and should never happen in a hospital.
List some examples of Never Events.
- Foreign object left in a patient after surgery
- Air embolism
- Administering the wrong type of blood
- Serious pressure injuries
- Falls and trauma
- Infections associated with urinary catheters
- Symptoms from uncontrolled blood sugar levels
What is an incident report?
A tool used to report an adverse event, sentinel event, client safety event, or near miss.
What are some individual risk factors for safety in the hospital?
- Lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, alcohol abuse)
- Cognitive awareness issues
- Sensory and perceptual status
- Impaired communication
- Impaired mobility
- Physical and emotional well-being
What is the Morse Fall Scale used for?
To assess the risk of falls in patients.
What are some key components of a culture of safety?
- Team empowerment
- Communication
- Transparency
- Accountability
What are the primary causes of fires in healthcare facilities?
- Problems with electrical or anesthetic equipment
- Smoking
What are restraints NOT used for?
- Convenience of the staff
- Punishment for the client
- To interfere with treatment
- To restrict movement completely
What is the purpose of restraints?
To limit clients’ movement and function for their own safety and the safety of other clients and staff.
How often should nurses assess patients in restraints?
Every 4 hours, with the need for orders renewed.
What should be documented regarding restraints?
- Precipitating events
- Alternative actions taken
- Time of application and removal
- Client’s behavior
- Condition of body part in restraints
What is the primary nursing responsibility during a seizure?
Stay with the client, maintain airway patency, and administer medications.
What are some factors that increase the risk for aggression in patients?
- Mental disorders (e.g., dementia, schizophrenia)
- Being under the influence of alcohol
What is the definition of ‘Safety Culture’?
An environment where all staff work together to create safety, disclose errors without fear, and address safety concerns.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is a communication tool used in healthcare to improve handoff communication.
SBAR
What is the significance of the 5 Million Lives Campaign related to patient safety?
It aims to prevent adverse drug events, central line infections, and surgical site infections.
What should be done if a near miss or adverse event occurs?
Report it immediately to the nurse leader or manager and complete an occurrence report.
What is the recommended action for nurses when responding to call lights?
Respond in a timely manner.
What is a common alternative to restraints?
Physical restraints, which involve manually holding or immobilizing the client.
What are some environmental hazards that can increase fall risk?
- Clutter
- Poor lighting
- Improper use of mobility aids
Fill in the blank: The _______ should always be within reach during patient rounding.
call light
What should you do during a seizure?
Stay with client and call for help, maintain airway patency, suction as needed, administer medications, note duration and types of movements.
Ensure to document actions taken.
What should be assessed after a seizure?
Mental status, O2 saturation, vitals, explain what happened, provide comfort, document precipitating factors, description of event, report to provider.
Documentation is crucial for follow-up care.
List factors that increase the risk for aggression.
- Mental disorders (dementia, delirium, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)
- Influence of alcohol or drugs
- Withdrawal from substances
- History of violence
- Clinical conditions (high fever, epilepsy, head trauma, hypoglycemia)
Understanding these factors can help in prevention and intervention.
What are signs of anxiety that may precede violent behavior?
- Agitation and restlessness
- Pacing
- Talking loudly, rapidly
- Gesturing widely
- Verbal aggression (threats, sarcasm, swearing)
Recognizing these signs can aid in early intervention.
What interventions should be taken to relieve anxiety and prevent violence?
- Treat underlying medical conditions
- Administer sedatives (diazepam or lorazepam)
- Use a calm, reassuring approach
- Avoid threatening body language
These interventions can help de-escalate a potentially violent situation.
Fill in the blank: In case of an angry patient, remain at least _______ away.
an arm’s length
This distance helps maintain safety.
What safety measures should be followed when dealing with an angry patient?
- Do not turn your back
- Do not touch without permission
- Keep the room door open
- Protect others in the environment
These measures ensure personal and others’ safety.
What is the priority in situations involving potential violence?
Your own safety and the safety of others in the area.
Always prioritize safety in crisis situations.
What is the first step in a primary survey for emergencies?
Rapid assessment
Quick assessment allows for timely interventions.
What does the ABCDE principle stand for in emergency care?
- Airway/Cervical Spine
- Breathing
- Circulation
- Disability
- Exposure
This principle guides the assessment process during emergencies.
What is the first aid treatment for bleeding?
Apply pressure, stabilize impaled objects, IV volume replacement or surgical intervention for internal bleeding.
Immediate action is crucial to control bleeding.
What does RICE stand for in treating sprains?
- Rest
- Ice
- Compress
- Elevate
RICE is a standard protocol for managing sprains.
What is the treatment for heat stroke?
- Remove clothing
- Apply ice packs at axillae, chest, groin, neck
- Hypothermia blanket
- Avoid shivering by covering with a sheet
Aggressive treatment is necessary to prevent complications.
What are the signs of frostbite?
White, waxy areas of exposed skin (earlobes, tip of nose, fingers, toes).
Early recognition of frostbite is essential for effective treatment.
