DMSA Final Study

Patient-focused care (PFC)

Represents a national movement to recapture the respect and goodwill of the American public

Vital signs

Refers to observable and measurable signs of life (pulse, temp, blood pressure)

Pulse

An easy and effective way to measure heart rate: recorded as beats per minute (bpm)

Nasal cannula

A device that delivers oxygen by way of two small tubes into the nostrils

Bradycardia

Heart rate below 60 bpm arising from disease in the heart's electrical conduction system

Oximetry

Non-invasive method of monitoring oxygen levels in the blood

Respiration

Process of inhaling and exhaling air

Dyspnea

Shortness of breath or the feeling of not getting enough air, which may leave a person gasping

Apnea

Spontaneous breathing that stops for any reason; it may be temporary, starting and stopping at intervals, or prolonged

Ostomy

Surgical procedure to create an opening to allow passage of contents of the urinary bladder or bowel through the abdominal wall

Isolated systolic hypertension

Exists when systolic pressure is above 140mmHg, while diastolic pressure remains below 90 mmHg

Pulse pressure

Difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressures

Intravenous (IV( therapy

the practice of giving liquid substances directly into a vein

Body mechanics

Refers to using the correct muscles to complete a task safely, efficiently, and without undue strain on any joints or muscles

Standard precautions

Basic infection control guidelines used to reduce the risks of infection spread through these transmission modes; airborne infection, droplet infection, and contact infection

Nosocomial infection

Hospital-acquired infection

Which artery is usually palpated when a pulse is taken?

Radial artery

Strenuous exercise, coronary artery disease, and electrolyte imbalances in the blood can cause what?

Arrhythmia

What are a Sonographers 4 main obligations?

The patients

The profession

Themselves

Their physician/department/institution

The most important facet of sonography is knowing that -

the patient is the primary focus

What is the normal adult pulse?

60-100 bpm

What is the normal adult respirations per minute?

12-20 inhalations per min

Low oxygen in the blood is -

hypoxemia

Decreased oxygen in tissues is -

hypoxia

Hypertension

high blood pressure; systolic pressure over 140mmHg

Body mechanics for transfers include -

stable center of gravity

strong base of support

back straight and objects close to the body

proper body alignment

Hyperventilation

Rapid breathing in excess of body requirements

Respiratory arrest

A life-threatening stoppage of breathing that requires emergency medical assistance

A normal pulse oximetry reading for a person breathing room air is -

high 90s

In measuring blood pressure, the higher number is the ______ pressure, which occurs when the ventricles contract to pump blood to the body; the lower number is the ______ pressure, which occurs near the end of the cardiac cycle when the ventricles are filling with blood

systolic, diastolic

Blood pressure

the pressure that is exerted by the blood against the walls of blood vessels

Normal adult blood pressure is what?

120/80mmHg

What does mmHg stand for?

millimeters of mercury

When doing a wheelchair transfer, make sure-

find out the needs of the patient and the assistance they might need

chair is next to the exam table

brakes are locked

footrests are moved

be aware or IV's, drains, and catheters

What are the proper mechanics for lifting?

back straight

using large thigh muscles, not the small muscles of the back

tighten abdominal and pelvic muscles

tuck buttocks in

keep head and chest up

Wash your hands whenever you come into contact with the following-

after every patient

blood

all bodily fluids

broken skin

mucous membranes

dried blood/bodily fluids

inside mouth, nose,eyelids

To decrease spread of pathogens follow these precautions -

wash hands before/after each patient

dispose of used linens in hamper

keep scanning environment clean, wipe scan bed after each patient

What diseases spread by airborne transmission?

Tuberculosis

Measles

Chicken pox

Shingles

T/F- All equipment must be cleaned according to institution's policies.

True

Droplet transmission

Germs that are too heavy to remain airborne can drop quickly (like droplets of water)

Contact transmission

Germs can spread directly or indirectly by contact with (touching) the germ

Airborne transmission

Diseases that spread by airborne transmission

Name some diseases that spread via droplet transmission.

Mumps

Measles (rubella)

Whooping cough

Pneumonia

Strep throat

Name some diseases that spread by contact.

MRSA

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Scabies

Hepatitis A

Impetigo

Name some diseases that spread by airborne transmission.

Tuberculosis

Measles (rubeola)

Chicken pox

Shingles

What transmission do you not necessarily need a mask?

Contact transmission (people still tend to wear them no matter what)

Used sharps must always be placed in what?

Puncture-proof containers

Best defense against MRSA in hospital settings is _____ ________ and the proper use of _____ ________.

hand washing, barrier devices

Community-acquired MRSA

MRSA infections occurring outside healthcare settings; typically produces skin infections

Hospital-acquired MRSA

MRSA infection occurring in people in hospitals or other health care facilities; can cause serious lung and bloodstream infections

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

A type of infectious bacteria that is highly resistant to conventional treatments such as antibiotics.

Nosocomial Infections

Infections acquired in a hospital setting

Bloodborne transmission

the spread of a disease through contact with blood or other body fluids that are contaminated with blood

What basic infection prevention guidelines are used to reduce the risk of infection that spread via what three transmission modes? (two part question)

Standard precautions; airborne, droplet, contact

Nosocomial infections usually manifest within the first ___ hrs of treatment

48

What are the most common forms of nosocomial infections?

UTI's

pneumonia

surgical incision site infections

What are some ways nosocomial infections occur?

direct contact

indirect contact

droplet infection

airborne transmission

vector transmission

vehicle transmission

Wear _______ to prevent contact with potentially infectious body fluids.

personal protective equipment (PPE)

Donning PPE

1. handwashing

2. gown

3. mask

4. goggles

5. gloves

Doffing PPE

1. gloves

2. goggles

3. gown

4. mask

5. handwashing

What does PPE typically consist of?

nonporous gloves

masks

gowns

eye protection/face shield

Cardiopulmonary respiration

a life-threatening condition where the heart stops beating and causes the lungs to cease function; leads to lack of blood flow to the body's organs and a loss of oxygen

Barrier devices

a piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to create a physical separation between a rescuer and a victim, preventing the transmission of bodily fluids and pathogens during emergency care like CPR or general first aid

Automated external defibrillator (AED)

a portable, user-friendly electronic device that delivers an electric shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm during a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)

Disinfecting

reduces/eliminates many, but not all microbial life

Sterilization

kills all forms of microbial life

List some patient responsibilities.

honesty with providers

comfy with treatment plans

make decisions responsibly

maintain healthy habits

be respectful to providers

List some patient rights.

to be treated with respect

informed consent

obtain/ privacy their medical records

refuse treatment

making treatment choices

T/F: Under HIPPA as a patient, you cannot examine or obtain a copy of health records.

False

Arrhythmia

an abnormal heart rhythm characterized by irregular, too fast, or too slow heartbeats. It occurs when the electrical signals that control the heart's contractions do not function properly.

Consent

Consent in the medical context refers to a patient's voluntary, informed, and legally valid agreement to undergo a specific medical procedure or treatment.

Heimlich maneuver

The Heimlich maneuver is a series of upward and inward thrusts applied to the abdomen of a choking person to force the object out of the airway

Oxygen therapy

a medical treatment that provides extra oxygen to a patient to treat low blood oxygen levels (hypoxemia) caused by various conditions like lung disease or severe illness; oxygen is delivered through a prescription and administered via a nasal cannula, mask. The goal is to ensure the body's organs have enough oxygen to function properly, improving activity levels and promoting healing.

Refusal

refusal is when a patient or their representative explicitly declines recommended medical treatment, diagnostic procedures, or preventive measures despite being informed of the potential benefits and risks. The decision to refuse must be voluntary, made with the patient's full understanding (informed refusal) and ability to make decisions (capacity) without coercion.

How should a sonographer handle a pediatric patient?

Explain procedures in a way they would understand

Show them respect just like you would an adult

Explain procedures to parents too

What are Spaulding's Classification System of disinfection?

Level 1: "non critical" devices equipment comes in contact with skin; requires low level disinfectant (wipes)

Level 2: Equipment that comes in contact with mucous membranes; requires high level disinfectant (trophon)

Level 3: Equipment that enters sterile body cavities; requires sterilization (autoclave)

Trophon

an automated ultrasound probe disinfection system that uses a vaporized hydrogen peroxide mist to achieve high-level disinfection for ultrasound probes, making it a critical tool in preventing infection and cross-contamination in healthcare settings

T/F: HIPAA sets boundaries on the use and release of health information.

True

The Health Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)

U.S. federal law that sets national standards to protect individuals sensitive health information from being disclosed without their consent

T/F: HIPAA does not include protected health information (PHI).

False

What three types of standards were created by HIPAA?

Privacy

Security

Administrative simplifications (i.e. payments/transactions/ billing codes)

Protected Health Information (PHI)

health-related information that can identify an individual, including demographic data, medical history, diagnoses, treatments, and payment information, as defined by the HIPAA.

It encompasses information in any form (electronic, paper, or oral) and must be safeguarded by "covered entities" and their business associates to protect patient privacy.

Sterile technique

A set of specific to eliminate all microorganisms; used to prevent contamination of wounds, equipment, and sterile fields

Medical asepsis

Clean technique

reduces microorganisms

disinfecting

Surgical asepsis

Sterile techniques are used

Eliminates all microorganisms

sterilization

T/F: Sterile objects below the waist or out of sight are considered contaminated.

True

List key principles of sterile technique.

Sterile touches only sterile

Sterile objects are in sight and above the waist

Do not turn your back on a sterile field

In a sterile field, edges ___ inch of sterile field are considered contaminated.

1

List prep for sterile procedures.

perform hand hygiene

gather sterile supplies

prepare the environment (clean, limited traffic)

using PPE as needed

List when sterile technique is required.

surgical procedures

central line insertions

catheter insertions

wound dressing changes

labor or delivery procedures

ultrasound-guided invasive procedures

What to do when setting up a sterile field.

open sterile packages away from your body

only touch sterile items with sterile gloves/tools

avoid moisture-wetness contaminates sterile fields

do not reach over the sterile field

Tips for maintaining sterility

stay within sterile zones

limit movement and talking

monitor for potential contamination

replace contaminated items immediately

List some breaks in sterile technique.

touching sterile field w/ non-sterile items

turning back on sterile field

allowing hands to drop below waist level

contaminated gloves or instruments

List some consequences when breaking sterile techniques.

increased risk infection

delayed healing

potential legal and professional consequences

higher healthcare costs

What are the three most common diseases by blood borne transmission?

HIV

AIDS

Hepatitis

Caliper (control for measurements)

measures the diameter or size of a blood vessel or organ

Begin/End Exam

Button to begin or end an exam

Escape

*

Press the 'Clear' or Escape button on the keyboard

Freeze

button to freeze an image

Cine

captures and saves a short video or "loop" of ultrasound images rather than a still image; allows for real-time motion analysis of anatomical structures