Wound Care
What is the difference between surgical and medical asepsis?
Medical asepsis- also known as “clean technique” is aimed at controlling or eliminating the number of microorganisms and is used for all clinical patient care activities
Surgical asepsis-also known as “sterile technique” is aimed at removing all microorganisms and is used for all surgical/sterile procedures
What do vital signs tell us as health care workers?
Where can a pulse oximeter be placed?
The fingers, nose or earlobes
What is an NG tube?
Nasogastric tube- A tube that is inserted through the nose, down the throat and esophagus, and into the stomach. It can be used to give drugs, liquids, and liquid food, or used to remove substances from the stomach
What is a Code Blue?
Code for cardiac arrest or other medical emergency. A support worker can best support the code team by standing out of the way but remaining available to retrieve supplies and equipment
What is a support workers MAIN responsibility when providing care to a patient who has a wound?
-Report any unusual observations
Orally, rectally, tympanically, temporally and under the axilla
When caring for a patient who is complaining of shortness of breath, what should the support worker do?
-Report to nurse
-Adjust the patient's position and coach through breathing exercises
What is a PEG tube?
percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy- a feeding tube insertion is the placement of a feeding tube through the skin and the stomach wall. It goes directly into the stomach
What is a Code Yellow?
The code for a missing persons. The support worker can help look for the missing person and follow other directives from the nurse in charge
What is a full thickness wound?
A wound that interupts the dermis, epidermis and subcutaneous tissues. Underlying bone and tendon may be visible in these wounds
What is the difference between dysrhythmia and arrhythmia?
Dysrhythmia- an irregular heart rhythm where the heart rate is still within normal limits
Arrhythmia- an irregular rhythm where the heart rate is too fast or too slow
What is the normal range of respirations/min in an adult?
12-20 respirations/min
What is a Jackson Pratt drain? What is a support workers responsibility when caring for a patient with a drain?
A drain that is used to help empty excess fluid from the body after surgery.
The support worker should observe for any unusual findings and report to the nurse. A nurse should check a patient with a surgical drain before the patient gets out of bed
What is a code white?
The code for a violent or aggressive person. Follow your facility/provincial guidelines when responding to these codes
What is healing by tertiary intention?
A wound that is left open for a time and then closed at a later date
Sitting on lying with the arm positioned resting above the heart
What are 5 causes of altered respiratory function?
-narcotic use
-COPD
-Asthma
-allergies
-pollution
What is a chest tube used for?
A chest tube is a plastic tube that is used to drain fluid or air from the chest. Air or fluid (for example blood or pus) that collects in the space between the lungs and chest wall (the pleural space) can cause the lung to collapse
You are working as a support worker and notice a patient in your care appears non responsive. What steps should you take next?
-try to arouse the person
-check for breathing/ a pulse
-if the patient is not breathing call a code blue and initiate rescue breaths. if the patient is not breathing and has no pulse, call a code blue and initiate CPR
What is the difference between shearing and friction?
Shearing- the tearing of the skin tissues as a result of the skin sticking to a surface
Friction-the resistance that skin encounters when it rubs against another surface
What causes a patients pulse to be elevated?
-heart conditions
-infections/fever
-alcohol use or alcohol withdrawal
-caffeine
-high or low BP
-electrolyte imbalance
-exercise
What are 3 safety hazards to consider when caring for a patient who uses oxygen?
-if the patient smokes
-static electricity
-open flames
-length of the tubing
What is a jejunostomy tube?
A jejunostomy tube (J-tube) is a soft, plastic tube placed through the skin of the abdomen into the midsection of the small intestine through a stomy. The tube delivers food and medicine until the person is healthy enough to eat by mouth
What is a code orange?
The code to alert a disaster. Follow facility/provincial guidelines to respond to this code.