National Patient Safety Goals Quiz

National Patient Safety Goals

• Identify Patients Correctly: Ensures accurate patient identification to prevent errors.
• Improve Staff Communication: Enhances communication among healthcare providers to reduce misunderstandings.
• Use Medicines Safely: Promotes safe medication practices to avoid adverse drug events.
• Use Alarms Safely: Ensures alarms are heard and acted upon timely for patient safety.
• Prevent Infection: Implements strategies to reduce healthcare-associated infections.
• Identify Patient Safety Risks: Recognizes risks to patient safety for proactive management.
• Prevent Mistakes in Surgery: Enforces protocols to avoid surgical errors.

Factors Affecting Patient Safety

• Age and Development: Older adults may have specific vulnerabilities.
• Lifestyle: Choices impacting health can influence patient safety.
• Mobility and Health Status: Physical limitations can increase risk of accidents.
• Sensory/Perceptual Alterations: Impairments in senses can lead to increased safety risks.
• Cognitive Awareness: Mental clarity affects the ability to recognize hazards.
• Emotional State: Stress or anxiety can impair judgment and response.
• Ability to Communicate: Effective communication is vital for safety.
• Safety Awareness: Knowledge of risks enhances personal safety measures.
• Environmental Factors: The physical setting can contribute to risks.

Risk Factors for Errors in Healthcare

• Individual Risks: Short-term memory limits and rush contribute to mistakes.
• Work Environment Risks: Staffing inconsistencies and long hours increase error likelihood.
• Human Risks for Falls: Conditions like low blood pressure or poor vision elevate fall risk.
• Environmental Risks for Falls: Poor lighting and obstacles create hazardous environments.

Fall Prevention Measures

• Install grab bars and assistive railings in bathrooms.
• Provide non-skid footwear to patients.
• Maintain a clutter-free environment.
• Conduct fall risk assessments upon admission.
• Utilize bed or chair alarms for at-risk patients.

Fire Safety Protocol (R.A.C.E)

• Rescue: Prioritize evacuation of patients.
• Alarm: Activate the fire alarm system.
• Confine: Close all doors to contain the fire.
• Evacuate: Follow evacuation routes unless otherwise instructed.

Restraints and Alternatives

• Restraint Definition: Devices used to limit patient movement.
• Types of Restraints: Includes bed rails, cuffs, vest restraints, and medication.
• Hazards of Restraints: Increased risk of injury, skin issues, and psychological effects.
• Restraint Orders: Require written documentation and prompt evaluation by a licensed practitioner.

Vital Signs Overview

• Sequence: Measure temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, pain, and oxygen saturation.
• Normal Ranges:
  • Temperature: 98.6°F (37°C)
  • Pulse: 60-100 bpm
  • Respirations: 12-20 breaths/min
  • Blood Pressure: 120/80 mm Hg
  • Oxygen Saturation: 95% or higher

Temperature Measurement

• Normal Range: 96.7°F - 100.5°F
• Measurement Sites:
  • Axillary: Lower accuracy.
  • Rectal: Most accurate; used cautiously in specific patients.
  • Temporal: Non-invasive with high accuracy.

Types of Fever Patterns

• Intermittent: Normal temperature at least once in 24 hours.
• Remittent: Fluctuating temperature without returning to normal.
• Sustained: Constant elevated temperature.
• Relapsing: Normal temperature with recurring fever episodes.

Hypothermia Symptoms

• Includes poor coordination, slurred speech, and decreased respiration.

Important Temperature Notes

• Metabolism is the primary heat source; skin is the major heat loss site.
• Aspirin not given to those under 16 due to Reye's syndrome risk.

Pulse Overview

• Measurement: Pulsations at peripheral artery; should be equal at apical/radial sites.
• Pulse Amplitude Scale: Ranges from absent (0) to bounding (+3).
• Pulse Sites include temporal, carotid, radial, femoral, and others.

Respiratory Patterns

• Normal: 12-20 breaths/min; variations like tachypnea (>25) and bradypnea (<10) indicate distress.

Blood Pressure Categories

• Normal: 120/80 mmHg.
• Pre-hypertension: 120-139/80-89 mmHg.
• Hypertension: ≥140/90 mmHg; classified as primary or secondary.

Infection Transmission

• Carriers: asymptomatic individuals who harbor pathogens.
• Nosocomial Infections: Acquired during hospital stays.
• Transmission: Via vehicle, direct contact, droplet, or airborne routes.

Assessing Falling Risk (DAME)

• D: Drug and alcohol use.
• A: Age-related issues.
• M: Medical conditions.
• E: Environmental hazards.

Sensory Systems

• Labyrinthine Sense: Orientation and movement perception.
• Proprioceptors: Indicate body position based on joint movement.

Application of Body Mechanics

• Lifting: Bend knees, keep close to object, and break loads into smaller portions.

Positioning

• Fowler's Position: Semi-sitting for respiratory and cardiac support.
• Supine: Lying flat with head elevated for comfort.
• Prone: Lying on the abdomen.

Nursing Process Overview

• Critical Thinking: Essential skills for patient care problem-solving.
• Five Rights of Clinical Reasoning: Right cues, action, patient, time, and reason guide practice.

Planning Purpose

• Partnership with patients and families is key; includes establishing priorities and writing expected outcomes.

Expected Outcomes

• Specific, measurable objectives for evaluating nursing interventions.

Writing Goals and Outcomes

• Goals must be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound (SMART criteria).

Implementation Purpose

• Action-oriented to help achieve desired health outcomes through planned care strategies.

Delegation

• Transfer of responsibilities while maintaining accountability; involves supervision of support personnel.

This quiz assesses your understanding of the Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals. You will explore essential elements such as patient identification, communication, medication safety, and infection prevention. Test your knowledge on factors affecting patient safety and critical measures to prevent mistakes in surgery.