Nursing Care and Patient Safety Techniques

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on key nursing concepts, patient care techniques, and safety practices discussed in class.

Hand hygiene

The practice of maintaining clean hands to prevent the spread of infection, including handwashing, using alcohol-based sanitizers, and surgical scrubbing.

Surgical hand scrub

A specific hand hygiene technique using antiseptic agents to reduce microorganisms before surgical procedures.

Perineal care

Personal hygiene practice involving the cleaning of the genital area, urinary meatus, and anus, particularly for dependent or incontinent patients.

Maceration

Skin breakdown caused by excess moisture.

Critical thinking

The application of knowledge and experience to identify patient problems and direct clinical judgments and actions for positive outcomes.

Clinical reasoning

The cognitive process of filtering clinical data to identify significant patient issues and guide nursing actions.

Safe Patient Movement

A comprehensive approach to lessen patient handling injuries, incorporating lift technology, assistive devices, and protocols.

Fall risk assessment

A tool or method used to evaluate a patient's risk for falling based on various factors like age, mobility, and medical history.

Toxins

Substances that can cause poisoning or harm through ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Illness caused by inhaling carbon monoxide, an odorless gas that can lead to sudden illness or death.

Diabetic foot care

Special considerations taken to care for diabetic patients' feet to prevent breakdown and infection.

Documentation

The process of recording the type of care performed, assessments, and patient responses to ensure continuity of care.

Alternatives to Physical Restraints

Strategies employed to manage patient behavior without physical restraints, focusing on environmental adjustments and patient engagement.

PASS (fire safety)

A mnemonic for fire extinguisher use: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.

Sitz baths

Therapeutic baths used to cleanse the perineal area, often used after surgery or childbirth.

Assessment

The systematic collection of patient data, including both subjective and objective information, to guide nursing interventions.