EKG > Chapter 2: Basic Patient Care Skills > Flashcards

Chapter 2: Basic Patient Care Skills Flashcards

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1
Q
A
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2
Q

What are the vital signs that monitor the functioning of the vital organs of the body?

A
  • Temperature
  • Pulse
  • Respirations
  • Blood pressure
  • Pain level

Vital signs are critical for assessing a patient’s health status.

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3
Q

What is considered baseline in the context of vital signs?

A

What is considered normal for a particular patient

Baseline measurements are essential for understanding how a patient normally responds.

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4
Q

Define objective information.

A

Information based on what a person sees, hears, touches, or smells

Also called signs.

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5
Q

Define subjective information.

A

Information based on something reported that may or may not be true

Also called symptoms.

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6
Q

List an example of objective information.

A

Fever of 102

This is measurable and observable.

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7
Q

List an example of subjective information.

A

Patient reports pain

This is based on the patient’s experience.

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8
Q

What is the role of the EKG technician in infection prevention and control?

A

To follow protocols that prevent the spread of infection

This includes hand hygiene and using personal protective equipment.

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9
Q

Define infection.

A

The invasion of bodily tissue by pathogenic microorganisms

This can result in tissue injury and disease.

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10
Q

What is a healthcare-associated infection?

A

An infection acquired in a healthcare setting during medical care

These infections can complicate patient recovery.

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11
Q

What is a localized infection?

A

An infection confined to a specific area of the body

Symptoms are restricted to that particular region.

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12
Q

What is a systemic infection?

A

An infection that spreads throughout the body, affecting multiple organs

Often results from pathogens entering the bloodstream.

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13
Q

Define pathogen.

A

Microorganism capable of causing infection and disease

Pathogens can be bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.

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14
Q

What is infection prevention?

A

Methods practiced to prevent and control the spread of disease

This is crucial in healthcare settings.

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15
Q

What is the most important way for healthcare workers to stop the spread of infection?

A

Hand washing

This is a fundamental practice in infection control.

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16
Q

What does Standard Precautions entail?

A

Treating all blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes as if infected

This should be practiced on every patient.

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17
Q

What is Transmission-Based Precautions?

A

Methods used when caring for persons infected with certain diseases

These precautions are in addition to Standard Precautions.

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18
Q

What is personal protective equipment (PPE)?

A

Equipment that protects employees from workplace injuries or illnesses

Examples include gloves, masks, and gowns.

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19
Q

What is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?

A

Bacteria that have developed resistance to methicillin

MRSA infections can be difficult to treat.

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20
Q

What is the chain of infection?

A
  • Causative Agent
  • Reservoir
  • Portal of Exit
  • Mode of Transmission
  • Portal of Entry
  • Susceptible Host

Understanding this chain is crucial for infection control.

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21
Q

What is diaphoresis?

A

Profuse sweating

This can indicate various medical conditions.

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22
Q

What is cyanosis?

A

A situation where nail beds and skin around the mouth become blue or gray

This indicates a lack of oxygen.

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23
Q

What are the five sites for measuring body temperature?

A
  • Mouth (oral)
  • Rectum (rectal)
  • Armpit (axillary)
  • Ear (tympanic)
  • Temporal artery (forehead)

Different sites may yield different readings.

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24
Q

What is the normal respiratory rate for adults?

A

12-20 respirations per minute

This is a standard range for healthy adults.

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25
Define **blood pressure**.
The force put on the walls of blood vessels by blood as it is pumped ## Footnote Blood pressure is measured in mm Hg.
26
What is **hypertension**?
High blood pressure, regularly measuring 130/80 mm Hg or higher ## Footnote This condition can lead to serious health issues.
27
What is a **sphygmomanometer**?
A device that measures blood pressure ## Footnote It is commonly used in clinical settings.
28
What is a**pulse oximeter**?
A noninvasive device that uses a light to determine the amount of oxygen in the blood ## Footnote It is essential for assessing respiratory function.
29
What is the **normal range for pulse oximetry readings**?
95-100% ## Footnote Lower readings should be reported immediately.
30
What is the significance of **pain assessment**?
Patient reports of pain must be documented and taken seriously ## Footnote Pain is subjective and varies from person to person.
31
What is the **supine position**?
A body position in which a person lies flat on their back ## Footnote This position is commonly used during EKG testing.
32
What is **Fowler's position**?
A body position in which the upper body is elevated 45 to 60 degrees ## Footnote This position is often used for patients with respiratory issues.
33
List **three causes** of hypotension.
* Dehydration * Blood loss * Heart problems ## Footnote Hypotension can result from various medical conditions and lifestyle factors.
34
List **three causes** of hypertension.
* Obesity * High salt intake * Stress ## Footnote Hypertension is often influenced by lifestyle choices and genetic factors.
35
List **three factors** that can interfere with pulse oximetry.
* Nail polish * Poor circulation * Movement ## Footnote These factors can lead to inaccurate readings of oxygen saturation levels.
36
List **five signs or symptoms** that can indicate a patient is in pain even if she states that she is not in pain.
* Facial grimacing * Guarding behavior * Increased heart rate * Sweating * Changes in breathing patterns ## Footnote These signs may suggest discomfort or pain despite verbal reports.
37
Why is it important to know **baseline** for a patient when assessing their level of consciousness?
To identify any changes or deviations from their normal state ## Footnote Understanding a patient's baseline helps in recognizing potential complications.
38
List **situations** in which vital signs should be reported to the nurse immediately.
* Significant changes in heart rate * High fever * Severe hypotension * Unexplained changes in respiratory rate * Signs of distress ## Footnote Timely reporting can be critical for patient safety and intervention.
39
What does **hot and dry skin** indicate?
May indicate fever or heart-related emergency ## Footnote Patient needs to be cooled immediately.
40
What is **diaphoresis**?
Excessive sweating; skin may feel cool (clammy) ## Footnote Can indicate fever, severe pain, or myocardial infarction.
41
What does **cyanosis** signify?
Decreased oxygen in the blood ## Footnote Characterized by a blue color of nail beds and around the mouth.
42
What does **pallor** indicate?
Decreased circulation ## Footnote Skin appears lighter than normal for the patient's natural skin tone.
43
What does **flushing** of the skin signify?
May indicate fever or severe pain ## Footnote Skin appears red and can also result from environmental heat.
44
Hand hygiene
Washing hands with either plain or antiseptic soap and water and using alcohol-based hand rubs
45
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
A federal government agency that makes rules to protect workers from hazards on the job
46
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
A federal government agency that issues guidelines to protect and improve the health of individuals and communities
47
Standard precautions are used for:
EVERY patient interaction
48
Body temperature is the:
Balance of heat created/heat lost, varies throughout the day
49
Body temperature can be affected by:
Age, illness, exercise, and the environment
50
Fever can be a sign that:
the body is fighting infection
51
Oral temperature can be inaccurate if a patient has/is:
Coughing, Mouth pain, Child younger than 5 years old, Unconscious patient, Recent smoking, food/drink
52
pulse
The beat that is felt at different points of the body when the heart contracts and pumps blood through the arteries
53
palpitation
Feeling with the fingers, as in the method normally used to measure radial pulse
54
auscultation
Use of a stethoscope to listen to the body's internal sounds
55
Radial pulse
The pulse located on the inside of the wrist, where the radial artery runs just beneath the skin Most common site for children and adults
56
carotid pulse
The pulse located on the side of the neck, just below the jaw
57
brachial pulse
The pulse located inside the elbow, about one to one-and-a-half inches above the elbow
58
apex
The tip of the heart, formed by the left ventricle
59
common pulse points
Temporal pulse Carotid pulse Apical pulse Brachial pulse Radial pulse Femoral pulse Popliteal pulse Pedal pulse (Dorsalis pedis pulse)
60
respiration
The process of inhaling air into the lungs and exhaling air out of the lungs
61
inspiration
Inhaling air into the lungs
62
expiration
exhaling air into the lungs
63
apnea
The absence of breathing
64
dyspnea
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
65
orthopnea
Difficulty beating when lying flat
66
tachypnea
Rapid breathing
67
Cheyne-Stokes
Alternating periods of slow, irregular breathing and rapid, shallow breathing
68
When checking respiration, report these:
labored breathing, abnormal breathing of any kind
69
count respirations after counting:
pulse, without telling the patient
70
Systolic
Blood pressure reading associated with the phase in which the heart is at work
71
Diastolic
Blood pressure reading associated with the phase when the heart relaxes or rests; the bottom, smaller number in the blood pressure measurement
72
tachycardia
Rapid heart rate
73
As children get older, their heart rate:
Decreases
74
As children get older, their BP:
Increases
75
As children get older, their body temperature range:
Does not change
76
oxygen saturation
The amount of oxygen in the blood
77
hypoxia
Inadequate (not enough) oxygen supply to the tissues of the body
78
A patient who is ALERT has:
their eyes open and respond to questions
79
A patient who is ORIENTED can:
state their name, the date, and where they are
80
In the semi-Fowler's position, the patient is
elevated 45 degrees or lower
EKG
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