Role
Name one task the CA is allowed to do related to an IV?
What is unplug it to ambulate patient and plug it back in after patient has ambulated. Saran wrap it for a shower.
Rationale- CA's are not allowed to silence or alter settings on the pump. IV fluids and medications may only be administered by RN's
Where should a temporal temperature be taken?
What is the Forehead along the temporal artery. Procedure-Slowly slide the thermometer across the forehead towards the temple, then move the thermometer behind the earlobe.
Rationale- Using this method increases accuracy. The temporal artery carries blood directly from the heart, making it a good indicator of core body temperature.
What are two important safety interventions that should be done prior to assisting a patient to the bathroom who is able to ambulate to bathroom with 1 assist?
(What is provide non-skid footwear ensure bed brakes are locked?)
Rationale- To prevent slipping and falling when walking or standing. Non- skid foot ware provides traction reducing the risk of slips, trips and falls. If bed is not locked it can roll unexpectedly when a patient tries to get in or out causing a fall or injury
A patient is able to ambulate in hallway, eat, and bathe without assistance. How would you chart their level of assistance for ADLs?
What is Independent/Up Ad Lib
What are two things that should be done prior enter a patient's room?
What is Wash your hands (and knock!)
Rationale- hand hygiene is the number 1 way to decrease healthcare-associated infections. Washing hands removes germs, bacteria and viruses reducing the risk of spreading them to patient's. Knocking promotes a tone of respect and professionalism.
Is the clinical associate allowed to use the bladder scanner on a patient that has not voided?
What is no.
Rationale- Use of a bladder scanner is not permitted based on BILH policies.
A patient reports just finishing a hot cup of tea and is due to have a temperature taken as part of routine vital signs. What routes can the CA use to take the patient's temperature? Please name two routes that could be taken to measure temperature.
What is axillary or temporal. Tympanic could be utilized but not widely available. (Oral will be inaccurate and rectal is not warranted)
Rationale- Hot or cold drink or food causes the oral temperature to be inaccurate. Pt's should not eat or drink anything 15 minutes prior to having temperature taken.
Name a devise used to assist safe transfers for a patient from bed to chair; in a patient that is able to pull themselves to a stand?
What is? Sara Steady or gait belt.
Rationale-It enhances patient safety and reduces falls. By using safe body mechanics, health care workers have reduced risk of back injuries
Should the CA document if a family member takes belongings home?
What is yes. Be as specific as possible instead of saying daughter say daughter Sara.
Rationale-Patients have a right to have their personal items respected and safeguarded while receiving care. Tracking belongings helps ensure all belongings are returned or accounted for.
What is the best practice for doing a patient's daily weight?
Use the same scale, same time of day and same clothing or bedding. If bed- scale take everything off bed.
Can a CA apply a male purewick catheter to a patient?
What is no.
Rationale- Based on BILH policy CA's can only remove system temporarily or permanently and document personal care preformed all other responsibilities. Everything else is the responsibility of the RN- Policy in jeopardy binder.
What vital sign requires observing chest movement without alerting the patient?
(What is respiratory rate?)
Rationale-CA's would document this as method visualization on flow sheets.
What device should be utilized when transferring a totally dependent bedridden patient to a chair?
What is a mechanical lift? (examples Tenor Lift for patients 600 lbs or greater, Sara 3000, Maxi ceiling lift
Where can you find out if a patient is on oxygen?
What is in the chart/patient orders. Report from nurse, flowsheets-vital signs.
What number should you call for a rapid response?
What is 3333.
Rationale- by calling 3333 the call can be triaged and emergently answered. Decreasing the response time of the rapid response team.
Can the CA apply the red antifungal cream to a patient? (True or False)
What is false.
Rationale-The nurse needs to apply the red antifungal cream because it is a prescription medication. CA's cannot apply it because medication administration is not in the scope of practice for CA's and against policy.
This vital sign is often taken on the radial artery.
(What is the pulse?)
Rationale- This is located on thumb side of wrist. gently press middle and index finger over wrist just below the bone. apply enough pressure to feel pulsations. Can you take pulse using thumb? No because the thumb has a pulse,
How often should a bedridden dependent patient be repositioned; and why?
What is every 2 hours
Rationale- to prevent pressure wounds, improve comfort and increase circulation.
Where do you document an episode of urinary incontinence?
What is the in the flow sheet I & O (one occurrence unmeasured urine)
A patient on oxygen complains of chapped lips. Is it ok to apply Vaseline to the patient's lips? If not, why?
What is NO.
Rationale-Any petroleum products should be avoided due to their flammable nature.
Should the CA accept an EKG if artifact is present?
(yes or no)
What is no.
Rationale-Do not accept EKG that does not have clear tracings or if artifact is present. This can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate patient care. Artifacts obscure the heart's true signals. Troubleshooting- avoid applying electrodes over bony prominences, prep skin and clip hair if necessary. Encourage the patient to minimize movement and assure all lead tracings are green.
What should you do after counting a patient's pulse and establishing it is irregular?
(What is report it to the nurse immediately?)
Rationale- An irregular pulse could be the sign of an arrhythmia, electrolyte imbalance or a reaction to a medication or other potential problems or concerns. Your role is observe, record and report. By reporting this right away the patient can get assessed by the nurse sooner and potentially intervention can begin quicker if necessary.
A totally dependent immobile patient needs to be pulled up in the bed. What method should the CA use to safely reposition this patient?
What is use slide sheets to move patient up in bed.
Rationale-Slide sheets reduce friction and resistance making it easier to reposition patients using safe body mechanics. Slide sheets significantly decrease staff back injuries. Do not slide patient up using ultrasorb pad you could hurt yourself or the patient by doing this.
When should the clinical associate document vital signs?
(What is immediately after completing them?) If unable to do them immediately because of an urgent patient need.
Rationale- Completing them as soon as possible helps increase accuracy and communication.
What is the first sign of skin breakdown?
What is skin that is pale, white, purple, or red, and non-blanchable.
Rationale- This is considered a stage 1 pressure sore. By communicating this to the RN patient's can be assessed quicker and interventions started faster so patient's have better outcomes.