CCMA weak

Droplet precautions

Use for transmission risk from respiratory secretions such as coughing or sneezing.

Airborne precautions

Use when infectious agents can remain suspended in the air.

Contact precautions

Use when infection can spread through direct or indirect contact.

Direct transmission

Direct contact with an infected person or infected body fluid.

Indirect transmission

Transmission through an intermediate object or vector.

Medical asepsis

Reduces the number and growth of microorganisms.

Surgical asepsis

Eliminates pathogenic microorganisms and maintains sterility.

Example of medical asepsis

Handwashing before and after patient encounters.

When surgical asepsis is required

During invasive procedures or when the patient's skin is penetrated.

Minimum alcohol concentration in hand sanitizer

60%.

Aseptic handwashing friction time

15-20 seconds.

When gloves are required

When contact with blood, body fluids, contaminated materials, mucous membranes, or nonintact skin is expected.

Blood-contaminated gauze disposal

Biohazard waste bag.

Used needle disposal

Sharps container.

First action after blood exposure

Wash the exposed area with soap and water.

Blood exposure sequence

Wash → Report → Medical evaluation → Counseling/follow-up.

Exposure control plan update

Annually, and when exposure-related procedures change.

Bloodborne pathogen training

Upon hire and annually.

OSHA no-cost vaccine

Hepatitis B vaccine.

Autoclave minimum temperature

121.1°C (250°F).

Unwrapped autoclave time

20 minutes at 121.1°C (250°F), based on the NHA quiz reviewed.

Chemical sterilization time

8 hours with the lid closed, based on the NHA quiz reviewed.

Sterile package storage

Store in a cool, dry, covered area; package must be intact and free of watermarks.

Sterile package with a watermark

Do not use it; moisture may indicate contamination.

Torn sterile package

Repackage and sterilize again.

Return to patient care after fever

At least 24 hours fever-free without fever-reducing medication, based on the NHA quiz reviewed.

Varicella

Virus.

E. coli

Bacterium.

Histoplasmosis

Fungal infection.

Pinworms

Parasites.

Parasite classifications

Protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites.

Common infectious-disease symptoms

Fever, headache, cough, runny nose, and malaise.

Timed specimen

Often used to monitor therapeutic medication levels.

Chain of custody

Often required for drug screening and blood alcohol testing.

If unsure which tube to use

Consult the laboratory reference manual.

Light blue tube additive

Sodium citrate.

Green-top tube additive

Lithium heparin.

Red-top tube additive

Clot activator, based on the NHA quiz reviewed.

Tiger-top tube

Contains serum separator gel.

EDTA tube inversions

8-10 inversions, based on the NHA quiz reviewed.

Serum clotting time before centrifugation

30 minutes, based on the NHA quiz reviewed.

Light-sensitive specimen

Wrap in foil to protect from light.

Butterfly needle range

Typically 21-23 gauge and 1/2-3/4 inch, based on the NHA quiz reviewed.

Postanalytical error example

Improper data entry.

Preanalytical error examples

Patient identification error, specimen mislabeling, or insufficient quantity.

Anxious patient before phlebotomy

Ask, "Have you ever fainted during a blood draw?"

P wave

Atrial depolarization.

T wave

Ventricular repolarization.

Standard EKG calibration box

10 mm high and 0.2 seconds wide.

12-lead EKG electrode count

10 electrodes.

White limb lead

Right arm.

Black limb lead

Left arm.

Green limb lead

Right leg.

Red limb lead

Left leg.

V1 placement

4th intercostal space, right sternal border.

V2 placement

4th intercostal space, left sternal border.

V3 placement

Halfway between V2 and V4.

V4 placement

5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line.

V5 placement

Same horizontal level as V4 at the anterior axillary line.

V6 placement

Same horizontal level as V4 at the midaxillary line.

Somatic tremor artifact

Irregular spikes caused by muscle movement.

60-cycle interference

Regular spikes caused by nearby electrical equipment or poor grounding.

Wandering baseline

Commonly caused by breathing, movement, or poor electrode contact.

Interrupted baseline

Commonly caused by a disconnected or broken lead wire.

Sinus tachycardia QRS

Narrow QRS complexes.

Ventricular tachycardia QRS

Wide QRS complexes.

Atrial fibrillation

Irregular rhythm with absent P waves and fibrillatory activity.

Best routine EKG position

Supine.

Shortness of breath while supine for EKG

Use Semi-Fowler's position, about 45°.

Dangerous finding during stress test

Stop the test and notify the provider immediately.