CCMA Exam Domain 3 Leftovers: Patient Intake and Vitals, General Patient Care

Palpatory method for BP

can be used in emergent situations when BP cannot be auscultated. Rather than listening for the systolic pressure (first Korotkoff sound), the palpatory method involves:

• Feeling the radial pulse while inflating the cuff

• Noting the pressure at which the pulse disappears (inflation)

• Then slowly deflating the cuff and noting the pressure when the pulse reappears (this gives an estimate of the systolic pressure only)

Factors affecting vital signs

Consuming hot or cold bevs, anxiety, smoking, exertion, age, pain, illness, beta blocker meds

Creating a sterile field sequence

Disinfect mayo stand, place packet on mayo stand, open flap farthest away from MA, pull both side flaps open, open flap closest

What is the parenteral route?

administration of a substance like a medication or fluid into the muscle, vein, or any means other than through the GI tract.

What is the nonparenteral route?

all routes of administration that do not involve bypassing the GI tract

Premeasured syringes

prefilled syringes that are single dosed. Disposable and loaded with the substance to be injected

Hypodermic syringe

sizes from 0.5ml to 60ml. 3 ml syringe is most often used

Tuberculin syringe

capacity of 0.5ml to 1ml. 1ml size is used most often

Insulin syringe

designed for administration of insulin only. measured in units

Rights of medication administration

collection of safety checks that everyone who administers medications to patients must perform to avoid errors

Subcutaneous injections

Common sites: upper, outer arm. Abd region, upper thigh

Inserted at 45 degrees

25-25 gauge, and 5/8 inch needle

Intradermal injections

Common site: forearm

Inserted at 5-15 degrees

25-27 gauge, and ¼ to ½ inch needle

Intramuscular injections

Common sites: deltoid, ventrogluteal, vastus lateralis

Inserted at 90 degrees

22 to 25 gauge and 1 to 1.5 inch needle