Vocabulary Flashcards
Dumbwaiter
A mechanical device for transporting food supplies from one floor to another
Code Blue
Hospital wide alert given when a patient has stopped breathing or their heart has stopped beating or both.
Clinical Tasks
Tasks performed at the bedside.
Transcription
Process used to communicate the doctor’s orders to the nursing staff & other hospital departments by requisition or computer.
Code or Crash Cart
Medical cart containing emergency meds, advanced breathing supplies, intravenous solutions and tubing, needles, a heart monitor and defibrillator, oxygen tank, and suction machine stocked by the nusing and pharmacy staff
Incident
Is an uncommon occurrence which is not in line with the normal routine.
MDRD
Medical Device Reprocessing Department; wash, clean and sterilize hospital equipment
Nursing Unit
Area w/in the hospital w/ equipment & nursing personnel to care for a given number of patients.
Inpatient
A patient who has been admitted to a health care facility at least overnight.
Cutdown Tray
Tray used to expose a vein when one can’t be found in order to start and IV.
Biopsy Tray
Tray of medical/surgical instruments used for small tissue specimen for microscopic examination
Code of Ethics
A set of standards for behaviour based on values
Attending Physician
physician responsible for a particular patient
MRP - most responsible physician
Intercom
device used to communicate between the nurses’ station and a patient’s room
Hospitalist
Full-time, acute care specialist whose focus is exclusively on hospitalized patients.
Jugular Insertion
insertion of a Central Line for TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition)
Pelvic Tray
Used for pelvic examination
Voice Paging System/Overhead Pager
Hospital telephone operator delivers a message to a doctor or makes announcements system wide.
Clinical Pathway
Outline for a patient’s path of treatment for a specific diagnosis, procedure, or symptom.
LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse; one year program
Disaster
An event that produces more casualties than the hospital can handle
Team Leader
RN who is in charge of a nursing team
MRP
most reponsible physician; doctor in care of a hospital patient
White Board
Chalk or grease boards in the nursing unit used to record important information.
Informed Consent
A patient is asked to consent to risky or invasive diagnostic or treatment procedure they are entitled to receive certain information: description of the procedure, alternative procedures, risks, expected results.
Pneumatic Tube System
System in which air pressure transports tubes carrying supplies, requisitions, or messages from one hospital unit or dept. to another.
Thoracentesis Tray
For withdrawal of excess fluid from the throacic cavity
Paracentesis Tray
For w/drawal of excess fluid from any body cavity
NUC
nursing team members who performs the non-clinical patient care tasks for the nursing unit. (aka Health Unit Coordinator)
SPD
Sterile Processing Department now called MDRD
Bone Marrow Tray
Used by the Physician to remove a small specimen of tissue for miscroscopic examination.
Biomedical Engineering
Responsible for repair and upkeep of heart monitors, heart-lung achines, CT scanners, addressographs, thermometers, BP cuffs, etc.
Non-clinical Tasks
Tasks performed away from the bedside
RN
Registered Nurse; 2 - 4 year program
Critical Thinking
Ability to distinguish between fact & opinion; ask questions; make a detailed observations, uncover assumptions, make decisions based on evidence.
Certified Health Unit Coordinator (CHUC)
A NUC who has passed the National Association of HEalth Unit Coordinators certification.
Disaster
An event that produces more casualties than hospital departments can usually handle
What to do during a Code Blue?
1.) Dial Code # for Switchboard - state “Code Blue” location. Some patient rooms have a code alert button. 2.) Clear an access route for Code Blue responders 3.) Direct the Code Blue responders to the patient’s room. 4.) Have the patient chart ready. 5.) Notify all Physician’s connected with the patient’s care as per RN direction 6.) Pull up patient’s e-records in order to process all STAT orders 7.) Successful code, follow the procedure for a transfer to another unit if directed. 8.) Unsuccessful code, follow the procedure fo postmortem care.
Code Red
Dial Code # for Switchboard. Follow R.A.C.E. protocol: R = Rescure/remove persons form immediate danger A = Activate the fire alarm C = Control the spread of smoke & fire by closing all doors and windows in the area E = Extringish the fire only if safe to do so Do not use the elevators
Code Black
Bomb Threat
Code Orange
Disaster/Mass Casualty
Code Green
Evacuation
Code Brown
Hazardous Spill
Code White
Aggressive Violent Act (patient or visitor)
Code Yellow
Missing Patient
Code Grey
System Failure
Code Pink
Obstetric/Neonateal Emergency
Code Amber
Missing or Abducted Infant/Child
NUC Responsibility in an Emergency Situation
Remain calm, Initiate swift action, Facilitate good communication between you and the rest of the emergency responding team members
Why is it important for you to know the unit and hospital floor plans?
In case of Emergencies: Code Blue, Code Red & Code Green.
To direct Visitors: To washrooms, patients’ rooms, cafeteria & visitor’s lounge. Miscellaneous jobs: Pick-up & delivery of items for other departments, directing flower deliveries, bringing portable phone to patients.
5 dietary items the NUC orders for the unit?
milk, jam, peanut butter, bread, orange/apple juice, ginger ale & popsicles.
WHMIS (definition)
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
What is WHMIS?
National wide training system to educate employers & employees about hazardous materials in the workplace. A national set of standards for storing, using, & labeling hazardous and potentially hazardous materials in the workplace.
5 Safety Hazards NUC’s should be aware of
1.) Exposure to infection 2.) Workplace injuries 3.) Ergonomics 4.) Fire/Electrical 5.) Workload & Stress
Stress Factors for NUC’s
1.) Dealing with life-threatening situations 2.) Illnesses, complicated by an unreasonable workload 3.) Inadequate or malfunctioning equipment 4.) Complex hierarchies of authority & skills 5.) Dependent & demanding patients & visitors 6.) Patient deaths
4 People who can sign consent forms
1.) Patient 2.) Doctor 3.) Nursing Staff 4.) Legal representative for patient
NUC’s 7 legal & ethical responsibility regarding paitent confidentiality
- ) Do not discuss patient info, except when necessary for the care of a patient
- ) Conduct conversations with other health personnel away from & out of range from hearing by any patients & visitors
- ) Do not discuss general patient information
- ) Do not discuss medical treatment with the patient or relatives
- ) Confirm the relationship between the patient & person(s) requesting patient info.
- ) Do not discuss hospital incidents away from the nursing unit
- ) Refer all telephone calls from reporters, police personnel, legal agencies, and other investigative sources to the nurse manager
Incident
An uncommon occurrence in the hospital that is not in accordance with the normal routine.
