Patient Care
SCD: Sequential compression devices- 2 fingers should fit between the sleeve and the patient’s skin
Immobility splint: Stabilizes an extremity after injury or surgery
Ostomy: A surgical opening from the intestines to the outside of the body- used to facilitate bowel movement
Sometimes you may have to cut a ostomy open 1/16 inch larger than the circumference of the stoma before fitting it into place
Empty ostomy pouches when they are half full
If only emptying the pouch, perform hand hygiene
Wipe the lower 2in of the pouch
Steps for ostomy care
Hold skin taut and peel off ostomy appliance form the top- gently pushing the skin away from the skin barrier portion of the appliance
Wipe any feces around stoma gently with toilet paper
Place gauze over the stoma in case any stool comes out
Take bedpan and full with warm water (40.5-43.3) to clean the stoma
Wound Infection: Warmth around wound, foul odor, drainage
Drainage that is purulent (contains pus) is an indication of infection- as well as moisture
Setting up equipment: only the provider must prescribe the flow rate and method of delivery- only they can initiate oxygen therapy
If patient is receiving oxygen at a flow rate greater than 4L/min or has symptoms of dryness, attach the flow meter to a humidifier
Hypoxia: anxiety, lack of concentration or focus, fatigue
Suctioning: Task a nurse delegates to you- raise the head of the bed to 45 degrees
Glide catheter around the patient's mouth until you are removing secretions but for no more than 15 seconds at a time
While suctioning for a patient with a tracheostomy, suction for no longer than 10 seconds at a time
Range-of-motion exercises: contracture- abnormal shortening of muscles or tendons, causing flexion of the joint and inability to move the affected extremity normally or at all
TCDB: Turning, coughing, and deep breathing
Have patients cough and take deep breaths frequently, at least every 1 to 2 hours while awake
If coughing is painful- such as after abdominal surgery- encourage patients to splint the incision area by holding a pillow against it to help reduce pain
Edema: result of an accumulation of fluid in a body part
Emesis: vomit
Glucometer: used for patients who have diabetes
Critical blood glucose levels
Females: Less than 40mg and more than 450mg
Males: Less than 50mg and more than 450mg
Might have to estimate fluid amount for intake and output- anything a patient eats that becomes liquid
Radial: thumb side of wrist
Brachial: inside upper arm
Carotid: neck below jawbone
Reposition patients every 2 hours
Lifting devices reduce friction
Shearing force can come from head of bed being elevated and patient sliding down
Use barrier ointment to clean skin
Ambulate every 2 hours
HIPAA: for handling protected health information
EMR (Electronic medical records) are more efficient, easily accessible computer networks to write down a patient's information
Joint Commission and ISMP: Promote quality and safety of health care
Asepsis: a clean technique
Pathogen: disease causing microorganism
ReservoirL the patient with the disease
Portal of exit: passageway for pathogen, such as a patient's infected body fluids
Mode of transmission: contact with a person, can be through objects
Portal of entry: mouth, nose, eye, etc
Susceptible host: presence of the microorganism in the body
Blood-culture collection: disinfect with 70% isopropyl
When preparing for a venipuncture, palpitate the vein
Junctional tachycardia: Spike then bump
Ventricular tachycardia: Small spike with bump
EKG speed: 25 mm/second
Light blue blood culture cap
Left deltoid for patients with amputated arm
Semifowlers 45 degrees
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