Unit 5: Complex Patient Care Scenarios Flashcards
You have just finished positioning a patient for a supine abdomen x-ray. Just as you finish placing your marker in the light field, your patient mentions to you that they “really have to use the bathroom” and appears embarrassed. How do you respond?
- Respond quickly and professionally if a patient requests a washroom.
- Assess patient’s ability.
- Assist patient with footwear, and make sure they are covered (robe/sheet).
- Help patient off radiographic table.
- Patient may have been fasting or be on medication that makes them unsteady.
What should you do after you help a patient off the table to the washroom?
- Help the patient into the closest washroom.
- Never leave patient unattended.
- Explain you will be right outside the door if they require assistance.
- Locate and explain the use of the emergency call button.
- Check on patient frequently.
What should you do once a patient is done using the washroom?
- Help patient wash hands, if they are unable to do so.
- Accompany patient back to examination area.
- Wash your hands!!
When should bed pans be used for females unable to get up to the bathroom?
A non-ambulatory female patient who is not catheterized, must be offered a bedpan for both defecation and urination.
When should bed pans be used for a male that is unable to get up to the bathroom?
The male patient who is not ambulatory must be offered a bedpan for defecation.
What are the 2 main types of bed pans?
- Standard
- Fracture
What are standard bed pans made of and how deep are they?
Metal or plastic or paper
2” high
What is a fracture bed pan and when would you use it?
- Shallower and contoured for patient comfort.
* The tapered end improves comfort and ease of placement with immobile patients.
* For patients who cannot lift their hips as high.
How do you position a bed pan when the patient can assist?
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- Ensure privacy. Make sure patient is always covered.
- Make sure you have tissues/towels.
- Put on gloves.
- Place one hand under the lower back and ask patient to raise their hips.
- Place pan under the hips.
- Assist sitting the patient up (if possible).
- Make sure the side rails are up on the stretcher.
- Make sure tissue and washcloth are within patient’s reach.
- Turn away from patient to provide privacy.
Maintain communcation
What should you do once an assisting paitent is done using the bed pan?
- When patient is finished, help them off pan.
- Lie the patient down, placing one hand under the lumbar spine and have the raise hips.
- Remove the bed pan.
- Cover with a towel and dispose the contents in the washroom or designated area.
- Remove gloves and wash your hands!!
How should you position a bed pan for a patient that cannot assist?
- Get help
- One person rolls patient onto their side
- Other puts the pan under the patient
- When removing, hold the pan before rolling the patient
- If assistance is needed to clean the perineal area, the technologist must provide this support
What is the Hygie System?
Hygienic cover with super-absorbent pad designed to turn up to 500ml of liquid wastes into a gel within seconds.
What is the purpose of hygenic covers?
This helps reduce the risks of splashes, spills and germ dispersal which contribute to the prevention of cross-contamination and healthcare-associated infections.
What are the benefits of the Hygie system?
- The single-use product offers increased hygiene level, blocks odors, and reduces cleaning tasks.
- It is easy to discard without risk.
- Makes collection and transportation safer.
What are urinals and how do you use them?
- Specifically designed for patients with a penis
- Can be used with the patient supine
What might you have to do with the urine after a patient uses a urinal?
Measure the output
Otherwise, dispose of the urine and return to the patient
If the urinal is not returned with the patient, what should you do?
Place it in a non-sterile bag and send it to be sterilized.
You go to remove the bed pan and the patient has had a bowel movement that has created an unpleasant odor. How do you respond?
- Maintain professionalism.
- You may have to clean the patient.
- Use several tissues and fold them over to form a thick pad.
- Wipe the patient’s perineum from front to back
What are the general rules for handling cast anatomy?
- Support a casted or reduced extremity at both joints.
- When moving a fractured (and/or casted) extremity, support both proximal and distal to the fracture, with opened, flattened hands.
- Avoid grasping the cast tightly with fingers
- Lift under the cast using opened, flattened hands
Why should you not squeeze to lift a cast?
Puts pressure against patients skin and may lead to decubitus ulcers, impaired blood flow, or nerve damage.
How much should a casted patient be checked for impaired circulation or nerve compression
Every 15 mins.
What are the signs of impaired circulation or nerve damage
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- Pain
- Coldness
- Numbness
- Burning/Tingling of fingers or toes
- Swelling
- Skin color changes
- Inability to move fingers or toes
- Decrease in or absence of pulse
What does the type of cast depend on?
On the type of injury, the length of time requiring immobilization and the physician’s preference.
What are plaster casts?
Coating gauze with plaster of paris
What are fibre-glass casts?
From rolls of material that is impregnated with polyurethane resin
What are the 3 types of casts?
- Air cast/boot
- Plaster cast
- Fibre glass