Patient Identification & Safe Handoffs
What are the two acceptable patient identifiers used before any intervention, transport, or meal delivery?
Full name and date of birth (or medical record number, per facility policy); never room number alone.
What are the two primary methods of hand hygiene, and how long should each take?
Alcohol-based hand rub for 15–20 seconds or soap and water for at least 20 seconds; soap and water is required when hands are visibly soiled or after caring for a patient with C. difficile.
What vital sign changes from baseline must be immediately reported to the nurse rather than just documented?
New hypotension, tachycardia, oxygen saturation below ordered parameters, or a change in level of consciousness.
What is the primary purpose of CHG bathing in hospitalized patients?
To reduce skin bacterial burden and lower the risk of healthcare-associated infections, including CLABSI and SSI.
What is the primary purpose of a sequential compression device?
To prevent venous stasis and reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis by intermittently compressing the lower extremities.
Before transporting a patient, what must be verified in addition to the patient's name and DOB?
Confirm the transport order and destination match the chart, and ensure the identification band is present, legible, and matches the chart.
What are the five moments for hand hygiene?
Before touching a patient, before a clean/aseptic task, after body fluid exposure risk, after touching a patient, and after touching patient surroundings.
What is a key safety priority when repositioning or ambulating a fresh post-op patient?
Move slowly in stages, such as sitting at the edge of the bed before standing, to prevent orthostatic hypotension and falls; keep the call light and assistance available.
Should CHG generally be rinsed off after application?
No; it should generally be allowed to air-dry, because the antimicrobial effect continues after application, but facility-specific product instructions should always be followed.
How should an SCD sleeve fit on the leg?
It should fit snugly but allow two fingers between the sleeve and the patient's leg, and it should be smooth and wrinkle-free.
A meal tray arrives labeled only by room number with no name printed. What should you do before delivering it?
Do not deliver the tray; verify the patient's identity using two identifiers and confirm the diet order matches the patient before delivery.
What is the correct order for donning PPE when entering a contact precautions room?
Hand hygiene, gown, mask if required, eye protection if required, gloves last and over the gown cuffs.
While preparing to feed a post-op patient, you notice they are unusually drowsy and difficult to arouse. What should you do?
Do not feed the patient because of aspiration risk; notify the nurse immediately.
Name areas of the body where CHG should be avoided or used with caution.
Face, eyes, ears, mucous membranes, open wounds, and the genital or perineal area per protocol.
Name situations where SCDs should not be applied or should prompt you to check with the nurse first.
Suspected or confirmed active DVT, severe peripheral arterial disease, open wounds or ulcers or a recent skin graft on the leg, severe peripheral neuropathy, or an order specifying otherwise.
You are transporting a patient and the ID band is missing. What is the correct action?
Stop transport; do not proceed based on verbal identification alone if the patient is confused, sedated, or unable to reliably identify themselves; notify the nurse to re-band the patient.
What is the correct order for doffing PPE, and why does the sequence matter?
Gloves first, then hand hygiene, then gown, then eye protection, then mask or respirator last, followed by hand hygiene again; this minimizes self-contamination.
A post-op patient reports dizziness and lightheadedness during ambulation. What is the correct immediate action?
Lower the patient safely, call for help, stay with them, and report to the nurse; this may indicate orthostatic hypotension or bleeding.
A patient has a known CHG allergy or prior reaction. What should you do?
Do not proceed with CHG bathing; notify the nurse so an alternative bathing protocol can be used.
You notice one calf is warm, swollen, and tender compared with the other leg. What should you do?
Do not apply SCDs to that leg; this may be a sign of DVT, and compression could dislodge a clot, so notify the nurse immediately.
A patient states their name and DOB correctly, but the ID band lists a different DOB. What should you do?
Do not proceed; report the discrepancy immediately to the nurse so the band can be corrected and verified against the medical record.
You are performing bedside care on contact precautions and your glove tears. What should you do?
Stop the task, remove the torn glove, perform hand hygiene, re-glove before continuing, and avoid touching your face or clean surfaces with the compromised glove.
A surgical dressing becomes saturated with bright red drainage that was not present 30 minutes earlier. Why is this urgent, and what should you do?
This may indicate active hemorrhage; report it immediately to the nurse rather than waiting for the next scheduled check.
CHG gets near or in the patient's eye and they report burning. What should you do, and why is prevention emphasized?
Flush per protocol and notify the nurse immediately; ocular exposure can cause corneal injury, so eye avoidance is critical.
A patient with SCDs is ambulatory in the hallway and asks whether they should keep the sleeves on while walking. What should you tell them?
SCDs are typically used when the patient is in bed or seated; remove them for ambulation if permitted by facility policy, then reapply when the patient returns to bed or chair. Verify facility protocol and notify the nurse if unsure.