Safety : Info from Mosby's Canadian Textbook for the Support Worker - E-Book – Sheila A. Sorrentino, Leighann Remmert, Mary J. Wilk, Rosemary Newmaster Flashcards
Medication that is ordered by a doctor and given to a client to control unsafe, undesirable, or bizarre behaviour or movement. A chemical restraint is not given to cure a person’s medical condition but merely to control behavioural symptoms.
chemical restraints
Barriers, furniture, or devices that prevent a client from having free movement.
environmental restraints
Any substance that presents a physical hazard or a health hazard in the workplace.
hazardous material
A report submitted whenever an accident, error, or unexpected problem arises in the workplace. Also known as an occurrence report
incident report
Federal and provincial laws designed to protect employees from injuries and accidents in the workplace; these laws outline the rights and responsibilities of employers, supervisors, and workers.
OH&S (occupational health and safety) legislation
Garments or devices used to restrict movement of the whole body or parts of the body.
physical restraints
Any device, garment, barrier, furniture, or medication that limits or restricts freedom of movement or access to one’s body.
restraint
Restraints must be contained in the client’s care plan and are to be used only as a last resort.
Occurs when breathing stops due to lack of oxygen.
suffocation
A national system that provides safety information about hazardous materials; includes labelling, material safety data sheets (MSDS), and employee education.
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
Any physical assault or threatening behaviour that occurs in a work setting that is directed toward clients, members of the health care team, or both.
workplace violence
Falls are the most common cause of accidental injuries in all settings, and children and older adults are at greatest risk.
T or F
True
Falls also are more likely during shift change
T or F
True
Few falls occur in bedrooms and on stairs
T or F
False
• Since most falls occur in bedrooms, bathrooms, and on stairs,
Keep beds in the lowest position at all times.
T or F
False
Keep beds in the lowest position, except when giving bedside care.
The client is observed at least every 30 minutes or more often, as required by the care plan. Restraints can be dangerous, and injuries and deaths can occur from improper use and poor observation.
T or F
False
at least every 15 minutes
If mitt restraints are applied, you should be able to slide one or two fingers under the restraint.
T or F
True
Remove the restraint and reposition the client every hour.
T or F
False
every 2 hours.
—barriers, furniture, or devices that prevent free movement, restraints are near the body, but not directly attached to it. They confine the client to a specific place such as a bed, chair, or room.
Environmental restraints
—garments or devices used to restrict movement of the whole body or parts of the body. They are attached to a body part or go around the client’s waist and wheelchair
Physical restraints
Who is at greatest risk of injury with bed rails? Clients at greatest risk are those who are:
- Confused or disoriented
- Restrained
- Small
- Have poor muscle control or tend to have seizures
If you suspect poisoning:
Contact the emergency medical services (EMS) for your area by dialing 9-1-1 on the telephone. The emergency medical services (EMS) operator will give you clear instructions.
• Gather any empty pill bottles or other evidence of poisoning to determine what has been ingested and how much.
• Stay with your client. Be sure to remain calm.
Most burn injuries occur in the home.
T or F
True
For chemical burns
carefully and quickly brush off any loose chemical powder with a cloth. Flush the area with large amounts of cool water (such as in a shower) for 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully remove contaminated clothing while flushing the area.
For electrical burns
secure your safety first. Do not touch the person if he or she is still in contact with the electrical source. Have the power source turned off, or remove the electrical source first. Use an object that does not conduct electricity (rope or wood) to remove the electrical source. Do not apply water on the burn, as water may increase the risk of shock.
For heat source burns
stop the burning process. Protect yourself from the source of the burn. Extinguish flames with water, or roll the person in a blanket, coat, sheet, or towel.
Remove burned clothing that is not sticking to the skin. Do not pull at clothing if it is sticking to the burn. Remove any jewellery, tight clothing, or belts before the injured area swells.
• Administer rescue breathing and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as needed.
• Cool the burned skin with cool water, not ice. Do not use cold water on large, third-degree burns. Do not immerse the burn in ice water. Cover the burn with a clean, cool, moist compress. (Use a towel, a sheet, or any other clean cloth.) Re-apply the cool compress for up to 20 minutes (for burns on the hands, feet, or face) or up to 1 hour (for second-degree burns). Pat the area dry.
• Loosely cover the burn wounds with a clean, dry covering. Thick, sterile gauze is preferable, but you can use towels, sheets, or any other clean cloth. Tape the covering in place, being careful not to touch the burn with the tape.
Turn off electrical items before unplugging them. .
T or F
True
Sparks can occur when electrical items are unplugged while still on
The oxygen source should be shut off and removed from the client prior to
shaving the client with an electric shaver, drying a client’s hair with a blow dryer, or using a curling iron on the client’s hair because of the risk of sparks from such equipment.
The acronym RACE stands for
R —for Rescue. Rescue people in immediate danger. Move them to a safe place.
A —for Alarm. Sound the nearest fire alarm. Notify the switchboard operator. Or call 9-1-1 if in a client’s home.
C —for Confine. Close doors and windows to confine the fire. Turn off oxygen or electrical equipment in use in the general area of the fire.
E —for Extinguish or Evacuate. Use a fire extinguisher on a small fire that has not spread to a larger area. If the fire cannot be easily extinguished, evacuation will be necessary. Always keep equipment away from all exits.
Use the ABCs to remember the types of extinguishers:
Class A:
Ash. Materials that burn and leave ash, such as paper and wood.
Use the ABCs to remember the types of extinguishers:
Class B:
Burn/ Boil. Materials that can burn or boil, such as oil and grease.
Use the ABCs to remember the types of extinguishers:
Class C:
Class C: Current. Materials that have an electric current, causing electrical fires.
PASS means
P—Pull the pin out.
A—Aim at the base of the fire.
S—Squeeze the handle.
S—Sweep from side to side, spraying the contents of the extinguisher.
Whenever you finish a procedure and leave the client’s room, make sure the call bell is within the client’s reach.
You must:
- Keep the call bell within the client’s reach in the room, bathroom, and shower or tub room. Even if the client cannot use the call bell, keep it within reach of visitors and staff, as they may need to call for help.
- Place the call bell on the client’s strong (unaffected) side.
- Remind the client to use the call bell when help is needed.
- Answer call bells promptly. The client may have an urgent need to use the bathroom. You can prevent the client’s embarrassment by promptly helping her to the bathroom. A prompt response also helps prevent infection, skin breakdown, pressure ulcers, and falls.
MSDS stands for
Material safety data sheets
—WHMIS labels provide
the essential information needed to safely handle a controlled product
Warning labels provide the following information:
- Product information—the brand, code, or chemical name of the product
- Supplier information—the name and address of the supplier
- Hazard symbols—pictures that show the kind of danger the product presents skin contact may occur.”
- First aid measures—measures that are necessary in case of an accident or emergency
- Reference to the MSDS—statement that tells that an MSDS is available
