Unit 1 Study Guide - Patient Care and Communication

Comprehensive vocabulary and concept flashcards covering patient communication, safety, documentation, body mechanics, infection control, and HIPAA based on the Unit 1 lecture notes.

AIDET

A communication framework for patient interactions representing Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, and Thank You.

SBAR

A communication tool used with other healthcare professionals consisting of Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation.

Objective Data

Information that can be observed or measured by the healthcare provider, such as Blood pressure, Temperature, Pulse, and Respiratory rate.

Subjective Data

Information that the patient reports about how they feel, such as "I feel dizzy," "I am nauseated," or "My stomach hurts."

Standard Precautions

Infection control practices applied to every patient regardless of whether an infection is known or suspected, including hand hygiene and appropriate PPE.

Contact Precautions

Precautions used for infections spread through direct or indirect contact, typically requiring gloves and a gown.

Droplet Precautions

Precautions used for respiratory droplets, typically requiring a surgical/procedure mask and other PPE based on anticipated exposure.

Airborne Precautions

Precautions for infectious particles suspended in the air requiring an N95 respirator and negative-pressure controls; Plano ISD clinical students are not permitted to enter these rooms.

Donning

The process of putting PPE on in the sequence: Hand hygiene, Gown, Mask, Eye protection, and then Gloves.

Doffing

The process of taking PPE off, ensuring the healthcare worker avoids self-contamination.

Scope of Practice

The specific skills a student may perform if they have been checked off in class, are permitted at the clinical site, have patient agreement, and have instructor permission.

HIPAA

The law that protects patient health information (PHI) and requires maintaining confidentiality in public areas and online.

Body Mechanics

Rules for safe lifting including maintaining a broad base of support, keeping objects close, and lifting with legs rather than the back.

Handwashing Rinse Position

Rinsing with fingertips pointing down so contaminated water runs toward the fingertips rather than back toward the wrists.

Blood/Body Fluid Exposure Protocol

A three-step process: 1. Clean/flush the area, 2. Report to the instructor/personnel, 3. Follow medical evaluation protocol.

Broad Opening

A communication technique that allows the patient to lead the conversation, such as saying "You seem quiet today."

Validation

A communication technique used to acknowledge a patient's feelings, such as "You seem really worried about this."

PHI (Protected Health Information)

Identifiable patient data such as name, phone number, medical history, and billing information.

Open-ended question

A technique to encourage the patient to share more information, such as "Tell me what happened."

Noncommittal response

A technique to encourage a patient to continue speaking by using phrases like "Go on" or "I see."