NHA Review: General Patient Care

EPA-Registered Wipe

Low level disinfectant

Outer edge of any sterile drape is considered contaminated

Outer 1-inch boarder

Drop technique

6 inches above field

What do you use if you need to move items on the field and are not using sterile gloves?

Transfer Forceps

When patient lies flat on their back with their arms on their sides

Supine

Position best for exams of the chest, heart, and abdomen

Supine

If the patient has back pain, you might place a pillow under their knees for comfort

Dorsal Recumbent

Patient lying flat on their stomach

Prone

Position to examine the back, spine, or back of the legs

Prone

Best position for patients with dyspnea and head and neck exams

Fowler’s

The backrest is at a 90 degree angle

High fowlers

The backrest is at a 45 degree angle and allows for maximum lung expansion

Semi-fowler’s

Position used for pelvic exams and Pap smears where patient lies on their back with buttocks at the edge of the table

Lithotomy

Position used for rectal exams, enemas, or taking rectal temperatures

Sim’s/ lateral

Position used primarily in emergencies for severe hypotension (shock) or fainting (syncope)

Trendelenburg

Position used for proctologic (rectal) exams where the patient rests their knees and chest with their buttocks elevated

Knee-chest

For patient’s with disabilities, where should you position the wheelchair on the patient’s side?

Strong side

Betadine or chlorhexidine

Antiseptic solutions

Cutting/incision used for cyst removals and I&D

Scalpel

Clamping blood vessels used for any surgery with bleeding

Hemostat

Grasping/ holding skin used for suturing

Forceps or tissue forceps

Scraping skin used for ear wax removal or dermatological scraping

Curette

Holding back tissue used for deep wound exploration

Retractor

Widening a body opening used for vaginal exams and colposcopy

Speculum

Probing depth of a cavity used for uterine depth measurement (IUD insertion)

Sound

Grasping cervix used for IUD insertion and colposcopy biopsy

Tenaculum

What should you never used for extremities?

Epinephrine

Medical equipment that must meet specific criteria, must be durable, and serves a medical purpose

Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

Examples of DME

Wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, hospitals beds, CPAP machines, nebulizers

Requirement by the payer to determine if the item is medically necessary before they agree to cover it

Prior Authorization

Where should the top of the crutches be?

1-2 inches below the axilla

The handgrips on crutches should be positioned so the elbows are flexed at ___

15-30 degrees

The splitting open of the wound

Dehiscence

The more zeros, ___

The smaller the strand

2-0 suture is very ___

Thick

Golden rule of eye irrigation

Inner to outer