H2T
What questions can you ask a patient to assess orientation?
Orientation: Ask about person, place, time, and situation (e.g., “What is your name? Where are you? What day is it? Why are you here?”).
How should respirations be counted, and why should the patient not be aware?
Count respirations for 30 seconds and multiply by 2 (or a full minute if irregular). Patients may alter their breathing if they know it’s being observed.
What does PPE stand for, and why is it important in nursing practice?
PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment. It protects both the healthcare worker and the patient from the spread of infection and exposure to hazardous materials.
What areas of a sterile field are considered contaminated?
Anything below waist level, above chest level, outside the one-inch border of the sterile field, or that comes in contact with a nonsterile object is considered contaminated.
What is therapeutic communication?
patient-centered form of communication that promotes understanding, build rapport, and supports emotional well-being
Why is it important to assess capillary refill?
Capillary refill: Press nail bed until blanched, release, and observe return of color in < 3 seconds. Delayed refill suggests poor perfusion.
What does an irregular pulse indicate, and what should you do next?
It may indicate arrhythmia. The nurse should count the apical pulse for one full minute and report findings to the provider.
When should gloves be worn?
When contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, nonintact skin, or contaminated equipment is possible.
Why should sterile gloves not touch nonsterile surfaces?
Contact with nonsterile surfaces contaminates the gloves and breaks sterility, risking infection.
Provide an example of an open ended questions.
Can you tell me more about how you've been feeling after you started this medication?
In what order should you assess the abdomen, and why is this order important?
Order: Inspect, auscultate, palpate (auscultation before palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds).
Why is it important to establish a baseline set of vital signs for a patient?
Baseline vital signs provide a reference point to detect changes in a patient’s condition and help guide clinical decisions.
Give an example of when full PPE (gown, gloves, mask, eye protection) is required.
During care of a patient on airborne or droplet precautions, or when there is a risk of exposure to blood or body fluid splashes (e.g., suctioning, wound irrigation).
How should you position your hands and arms once sterile gloves are on?
Keep hands above waist level, in front of the body, and away from nonsterile surfaces to maintain sterility.
Provide an example of a closed ended question.
Did you eat breakfast today?
Where are the main peripheral pulses assessed, and what are you checking for?
Peripheral pulses: Radial, brachial, dorsalis pedis, and posterior tibial. Check for rate, rhythm, amplitude, and symmetry.
What is oxygen saturation, and what is the normal range?
95-100%
What is the lab instructors name....
Mrs. Grubb
Give two examples of nursing procedures that require sterile technique.
Inserting a Foley catheter and dressing a surgical wound.
Is touch considered a part of communication?
Yes therapeutic touch is a nonverbal form of communication.
How do you assess pupillary response and why is it important?
Pupillary response: Shine a light in each eye to assess if pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation (PERRLA). It evaluates cranial nerve function and brain responsiveness.
When should vital signs be reassessed beyond routine checks?
After a change in condition, before and after procedures, after medication administration affecting vital signs, or as ordered by the provider.
List four common types of PPE used in healthcare.
Gloves, gowns, masks/respirators, and eye protection (goggles or face shields).
Which hand should you apply your sterile glove to first?
Your dominant hand
Provide examples of ways to emphasize that you are actively listening to your client.
Eye contact, showing interest, responding appropriately, showing empathy, clarification, paraphrasing, summarizing, and validation.