ROOM SERVICE
before leaving a resident's room, a PCT should always ensure the bed is in this position for safety
What is the lowest position and locked)?
Mrs. Davis insists she saw a unicorn in the hallway. Your best and most respectful response to the magical sighting is this.
What is validate her feelings (or go along with it/redirect gently)
When helping Mrs. Smith with her morning routine, this is the first thing you should offer before anything else, to ensure she's comfy and ready
What is toileting
Before offering the first spoonful, you should always check this important document to know what's on the menu and if they can have thick or thin liquids?
What is the patient's diet order (or care plan)
If you see a tube hanging out of a patient's bladder area, collecting urine in a bag, you're looking at this kind of 'personal pipeline'
What is a foley catheter?
To prevent falls, a PCT should ensure this area of a resident's room is always clear of clutter
What is a pathway to the bathroom/walking path?
You're documenting, and Mr. Henderson playfully tries to grab your pen. Your smooth professional deflection is to do this.
What is offer him his own pen or different item to hold?
To make Mrs Johnson's bath time feel like a spa day, you'd ensure this warm and bubbly liquid is ready in the basin
What is warm, soapy water?
If Mr. Smith starts doing a dramatic cough during mealtime, your immediate action is this
What is to stop feeding him and notify the nurse?
This small tube often sits just inside a patient's nose, delivering that helpful invisible gas to assist with breathing
What is a nasal cannula (or oxygen tubing)
If you see Mr. Snuggles ( a patient's teddy bear) on the floor, you gently pick him up and place him here.
What is on the bed, or within resident's reach?
The call light keeps ringing, but when you arrive, Mrs. O'Malley just wants to tell you a long story about her cat. Your best superpower in this situation is this
What is active listening
When helping a resident brush their teeth, you should assist them in cleaning this part of their mouth, not just the pearly whites
What is their tongue and roof of mouth?
After a delightful meal, you should always help the resident with this quick mouth refreshing ADL
What is oral hygiene?
You spot a tube coming from a patient's stomach, often used to deliver liquid food. This 'mealtime highway' is what you're seeing
What is a G-tube (gastrostomy tube or feeding tube)
You find Mrs. Jones room looking like a tornado hit it. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to make it neat and tidy
What is declutter and organize or straighten up?
You find Ms. Peterson, who is a known fall risk, trying to climb out of bed to get to the bathroom. Your immediate, safety-first action is this
What is to gently assist her back into bed ( or to a safe sitting position) and get help/ report to the nurse
When helping a patient into their wheelchair, this essential safety device should always be locked before they attempt to sit?
What are the wheelchair brakes?
After a patient has finished their meal, you should always check their mouth for this, especially if they have trouble swallowing
What is pocketing (or food left in their cheeks/mouth?
This 'line' is often seen taped to a patient's arm, providing a direct pathway for fluids or medications, but its not a garden hose!
What is an IV?
Before leaving a patient's room, you should always make sure their remote control for the TV is within arms reach, along with this other essential device
What is the call bell?
Mr Davis keeps offering you pieces of his untouched breakfast toast and even though you politely decline. Your kind and consistent move to handle this is...
What is to gently remind him about facility policy/infection control (or suggest he save it for later and put it away)
Before moving Mr Jenkins from his bed to the wheelchair, this important safety device goes snugly around his waist.
What is a gait belt?
If you see a signs on Mr. Henderson's door saying NPO, this means you absolutely cannot offer him anything, not even a tiny sip of water
What is nothing by mouth?
You spot a longer, thin tube inserted into a patient's arm, usually above the elbow delivering fluids. If you notice any redness, swelling, or pain around where it goes into the skin, your immediate 'notify the nurse' alarm should go off for this type of IV line
What is a midline catheter?