Allied health SAC

What is the machine called that takes blood pressure?

Sphygmomanometer, it can be aneroid or digital

What are the parts the machine includes?

• An inflatable cuff that is designed to wrap around the upper arm

• An inflation mechanism which is either manually or electronically operted bulb or pump

• A measuring unit which displays the systolic and dystolic pressure reading during arterial blood flow

Normal blood pressure values

• Can vary

• A normal blood pressure value as a systolic reading of less than 130 and diastolic pressure of less than 85 is seen to be normal

What temperature measurement would you use for a large group

A non contact infrared thermometer as it doesn’t make contact with the individuals skin, therefore doesn’t require disinfecting between measurements

What are normal temp values

• Anything between 36.4 degrees c and 37.5 degrees c is generally acceptable

• 37 degrees c is average

• 35 degrees in considered hypothermia

• 38 degrees c is considered fever

What is a normal pulse/heart rate

60-100bpm

What do you need to measure a pulse

Hand and some sort of measuring device, stopwatch, phone, clock etc

What is the process of taking a pulse

• Wash hands

• Ensure individual is at rest or relaxed

• Find pulse, the most accessible place is usually radical artery (wrist). also one of the inside of the elbow ( brachial artery), behind knee ( popliteal artery) or the neck ( carotid artery)

• Use your first and second fingertips and press firmly but gently on the wrist, never use you thumb when measuring

• Use a time measuring device and begin counting beats of the pulse over 60 seconds. You can also count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 but for most accurate use 60 seconds

What is a normal respiratory rate

12-18bpm

What factors effect a individuals RR

• agitation

• sleep

• exercise

• illness

• age

• fever

What do use to measure weight, height and circumference

Weight - Scales

Height - stadiometer

Circumference - tape measure

How to measure BMI

• Measure the persons weight in kg

• measure the persons height in m

• square the height

• divide weight by squared height

What does a BMI in the overweight/ obese catergory indicate

• You may be high risk of high blood pressure, T2D, cholesterol issues and metabolic syndrome with your combination of BMI and waist circumference measurements

What is peak flow and spirometry

2 main pieces of equipment that are used to diagnose and monitor chronic lung conditions.

What does peak flow and spirometry help doctors see

Help doctors monitor a patients conditions or indicate if they require a change to their medication due to worsening results

What are some sources of light when examining a client

• goose neck lamp

• pen torch

• phone torch

What is each part of the stethoscope

Diaphragm - is the flat piece constructed from metal at the end of the stethoscope. mostly used to capture high pitch sounds

Bell - Smaller cup shaped object found on the back of diaphragm, mainly used to capture low pitched sounds

Tubing - here sounds are transmitted from diaphragm or bell through acoustic tubing that connects to the earpieces via ear tubes

Aural tubes - the short tubes between earpieces and acoustic tubing they are usually constructed of metal allows transmission of low frequency sound

Earpieces - made from soft rubber, the earpieces are used to carry sounds from the diaphragm while blocking out external sounds

Stem - connects the chest piece to the tubes

What is used to test a persons hearing

Audiometer

How do you test their hearing using the audiometer

Get the person to raise their hand or push a button when they hear a sound

• with children they are often more interactive and use toys to assist the testing process. they may put a marble in a container each time they hear a noise

What are the 2 main visual acuity tests

• Snellen

• Random E

What is the snellen test

Uses a chart, made up of letters or symbols of different sizes, arranged into rows and columns. Viewed from specific distance the chart helps to determine how well a patient can see letters and shapes

What is the Random E test

they’ll identify the direction that the letter E is facing, they’ll point in the direction the letter is facing whether it be up, down, left or right.

What is the most common test to measure colour blindness

The ishihara colour test, viewing test plates with number and colours

What is the scoring scale of the ishihara test like

Correctly identifying 12 or 14 test plates shows no colour blindness, whereas scores below twelve indicate colour vision deficiency

Why is it important to have accurate medical records

• so there is a thorough history for the patient, and any other healthcare professional who deals with them sees the same information when looking at their record

• so that any medication or treatment plans are being based on correct information

What might medical records consist of

• Name of test taken, including date and time

• Name of supplied used, batch number, lot number and exiry date

• results of test

• any adverse effects of incidents you have provided the patient

• any advice or instruction you provided

• any info collected regarding patients current health status

• their signature if consent required

Factors to consider when taking clinical measures, as you may need to approach in a different way

• Age

• culture

• gender

• religion

Children in the workplace and how should clinical measures be applied

Children in the workplace - Parent or legal guardians are responsible for making healthcare decisions in a child’s best interest. Health workers must ensure the parent fully understand all options. Guardians can seek a second opinion/ access to health records. As children get older they want more involvement in decisions

Application - When taking clinical measures on a child you must gain consent from parent and clearly explain what your doing. You should also support them to understand the procedure. if the child is older you should also involve them in the process.

Informed consent and application to clinical measurements

Informed consent - means a patient or guardian understands the procedure including risks and benefits, and agrees to it before its carried out, they must be given clear info, be able to ask questions and free to accept or refuse treatment.

Application - you must explain what you are doing, why its needed and gain consent before proceeding. this included ensuring the patient understands and feels comfortable, answering questions and respecting their right to refuse

Mandatory reporting and the application of clinical measurements

Mandatory reporting - is a legal requirement for certain professional to report suspected child abuse or neglect to government authorities. laws vary by state or territory and each outlines its own reporting obligations

Application - you must remain alert to any signs of abuse or neglect. if suspect harm, you are legally required tp report it accrding to states guidelines, even if you are only performing routine checks

Records management and application to clinical measurements

Records management - involved accurately documenting, storing and maintaining patient information so its secure and up to date, and accessible to authorised healthcare professionals

Application - you must record results clearly and accurately including date, time and any relevant observations. you must also ensure the patients information is kept confidential, stored securely and only shared with authorised staff

What to do if you receive a non valid result

• If you believe you have received a non valid result you should take measurement again

• it may be due to error with equipment or may of been used incorrectly

example

• taking the temp of a school kid who has been playing out at lunch time on a warm day and it returned warning a fever

what happens when you follow standard sequences, procedures and manufactures instruction when taking clinical measurements

by following these you stand the best chance of obtaining results that are valid, reliable and accurate

what’s the right clinical setting when taking clinical measurments

• cleanliness of the area

• good storage

• adequate room for a desk/bed/chairs and other equipment

• privacy

• noise levels should be low

Why is important to communicate details and purpose of procedure to client

So they understand the steps of what you’ll be doing, any risks involved, so they have a chance to ask questions and they can give consent to any procedure, follow up or treatment

What do you do if the clinical measure is outside your limitations

• If a patient requires a measurement outside your role or that your not confident handling you should refer the situation to your supervisor to assist by referring the patient to a colleague who can do the measure

• understanding you limitations is important for the safety of your patient as attempting a task outside of your scope can be dangerous on their health

Appropriate time and place for clinical measures, what to consider

• it may not be appropriate if the result is indicating a serious problem

• if a child is present and result is upsetting

• if the patients file had specifically said not to give results

• it may also not be suitable if test was inconclusive

in these cases you should advise patient of a appropriate follow up procedure to discuss results

Things to do at the beginning of your shift to ensure you are organised

• Make sure you have access to all equipment or items required

• ensure all equipment is in proper working order

• check patient list

• read any appropriate files or notes that may effect your day

What items might you need to dispose/ sterilize of at the end of your shift

dispose

• some PPE such as gloves

• cardboard mouthpieces

• test stripes for blood glucose

• general packaging

sterilize

• you general work area

• equipment used to take measurements

Things to consider when disposing, cleaning and sterilizing equipment

• manufacturers requirements

• infection control procedures

• organization protocols

How should equipment be stored

• safe and accessible

• in accordance with clinical guidelines

• in accordance to organisation policies and procdures