Basic Patient Care
This term refers to routine daily tasks like bathing, dressing, feeding, grooming, and toileting.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Before helping a patient stand using a gait belt, the CPCT/A must always do this to the patient’s feet.
What is apply non-skid footwear?
The very first step before any Patient Care task, including repositioning or feeding.
What is perform hand hygiene?
Before taking an oral temperature, the CPCT/A must confirm the patient has not done this within the past 15 minutes (name 2 of 3).
What is eaten, drunk, or smoked?
Documenting how much a patient drinks — plus any IV fluids — is part of this measurement.
What is intake and output (I&O)?
To prevent pressure injuries, patients who cannot reposition themselves should be turned at this minimum frequency.
What is every 2 hours?
Before feeding a patient in bed, the CPCT/A should raise the bed to this position.
What is high Fowler’s (or 60–90 degrees)?
If a patient begins to fall during ambulation, the technician should do this instead of trying to catch them.
What is assist them to the floor safely?
When providing perineal care, the CPCT/A should clean in this direction to prevent infection.
What is front to back?
When taking blood pressure manually, the cuff should be placed approximately 1 inch above this part of the arm.
What is the antecubital fossa?
When assisting a patient with a thickened-liquid diet, the CPCT/A must ensure the liquid has this quality before serving.
What is the correct consistency (nectar, honey, or pudding thick)?
A bony area of redness that does not blanch is an early sign of this condition.
What is a pressure injury (Stage 1)?
When assisting a visually impaired patient with their meal tray, the CPCT/A should describe food placement using this method.
What is the clock method?
A transfer from bed to wheelchair requires the CPCT/A to do this to both mobility devices before movement.
What is lock the wheels?
Used linens must be handled in this manner to prevent contamination (never touch these two things)
What is hold away from the body and never place on the floor?
A respiratory rate should be counted discreetly during this other vital sign measurement.
What is the pulse?
For a clean-catch urine sample, the patient must do this before collecting the specimen.
What is clean the perineal area?
This position involves lying on the left side with knees flexed — often used for enemas.
What is Sims’ position?
When assisting with crutches, the patient should support their weight using this part of the crutches.
What are the handgrips?
This type of assistive device provides stability for patients who can safely bear weight on both legs.
What is a walker?
When assisting with toileting, gloves must be worn because urine and stool are considered this type of material.
What are bodily fluids (or infectious materials)?
Pain is considered this type of vital sign by many health systems.
What is the fifth vital sign?
Stool samples for occult blood testing must not be contaminated with this.
What is urine?
When elevating a patient’s heels, the CPCT/A should use pillows to ensure this does not happen to the heels.
What is direct pressure?
A patient who can perform part of a task but needs help with setup is classified as having this level of dependence.
What is partial assistance?
The safest technique for repositioning a patient to prevent back injury to the CPCT/A.
What is use proper body mechanics (bend knees, keep back straight)?
When caring for a patient with C. difficile the CPCT/A must wash hands with this instead of alcohol sanitizer.
What is soap and water?
Any abnormal vital sign must immediately be followed by this action.
What is report to the nurse?
A patient who cannot safely swallow liquids needs this type of diet modification.
What is thickened liquids / dysphagia precautions?
Placing the bed in this position, with the head lower than the feet, is used during some emergencies like shock.
What is Trendelenburg position?