Safety Considerations in Patient Care
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Questions and Answers

What is one of the safety considerations when approaching an ill or injured patient?

  • Ignoring the scene hazards to save time
  • Assuming the scene is safe without assessment
  • Checking for scene hazards (correct)
  • Focusing only on the patient's condition

    • What should be considered when approaching a road traffic crash scene?

  • Rushing to the patient without assessing the surroundings
  • Waiting for official clearance before approaching
  • Checking if the scene is closed to oncoming traffic (correct)
  • Assuming all traffic has been diverted

    • How should providers handle aggressive or agitated patients at a scene?

  • Request help as needed from security personnel or police (correct)
  • Administer sedatives without consent
  • Attempt to calm the patient without assistance
  • Ignore the patient's behavior and proceed with assessment

    • What risk should providers consider in terms of infectious diseases at a scene?

    <p>Possibility for disease exposure such as flu or haemorrhagic fever</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What personal protective equipment (PPE) is almost always required when approaching a patient to protect from exposure to bodily fluids?

    <p>Gloves and eye protection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what circumstances may specific protective practices be required when approaching a patient?

    <p>Suspected or confirmed haemorrhagic fever outbreaks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is emphasized to ensure when approaching a patient in terms of local recommendations?

    <p>Being up-to-date on current local recommendations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done before and after every patient contact to minimize infectious disease exposure?

    <p>Use PPE and wash hands</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is recommended at the scene when hand washing is not immediately possible?

    <p>Carry an alcohol gel cleanser</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When may decontamination be required after exposure to chemicals?

    <p>After exposure to pesticides or other chemicals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if multiple people are injured or ill?

    <p>Call for help or send someone to call</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When is it recommended to begin making arrangements for consultations or transfers?

    <p>As early as possible</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should one know about relevant local agencies in case of suspected outbreaks or hazardous exposures?

    <p>Contact information for support and guidance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the 'A' in the ABCDE approach stand for?

    <p>Airway</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the ABCDE approach?

    <p>To rapidly identify and intervene for life-threatening conditions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When should the ABCDE approach be performed?

    <p>In the first 5 minutes and repeated whenever a patient’s condition changes or worsens</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the 'D' in the ABCDE approach refer to?

    <p>Disability: assess and protect brain and spine functions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if the patient is unconscious and not breathing normally with no trauma?

    <p>Open the airway using the head-tilt and chin-lift manoeuvre</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if a foreign body is suspected in a choking patient who is unable to cough or make noises?

    <p>Remove the object if visible, being careful not to push it deeper</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if the patient is choking and unable to cough or make sounds?

    <p>Use age-appropriate chest thrusts/abdominal thrusts/back blows</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What indicates a partially obstructed airway according to the text?

    <p>Abnormal sounds such as stridor, grunting, or snoring</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if there are no breath sounds on one side, hypotension, and a shifted trachea?

    <p>Check for distended neck veins or a shifted trachea (tension pneumothorax)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if the patient is breathing inadequately (too slow for age or too shallow)?

    <p>Begin bag-valve-mask ventilation with oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if the patient is unconscious with abnormal breathing?

    <p>Start bag-valve-mask ventilation and follow relevant CPR protocols</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if breathing is very fast, very slow, or very shallow?

    <p>Assess if breathing is very fast, very slow, or very shallow and look for signs of increased work of breathing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if there are no breath sounds on one side, hypotension, and a shifted trachea?

    <p>Check for distended neck veins or a shifted trachea (tension pneumothorax)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When should bag-valve-mask ventilation with oxygen be initiated?

    <p>If the patient is not breathing adequately (too slow for age or too shallow)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if the patient is unconscious with abnormal breathing?

    <p>Start bag-valve-mask ventilation with oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if breathing fast or hypoxic?

    <p>Give oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are signs of poor perfusion to look for?

    <p>Cool, moist extremities and delayed capillary refill</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the recommended action for suspected internal bleeding or pericardial tamponade?

    <p>Refer rapidly to a center with surgical capabilities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if signs of poor perfusion are observed?

    <p>Give IV fluids and oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In case of trauma, what should be done for fractures with compromised blood flow?

    <p>Bind pelvic fractures and splint femur fractures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are signs of poor perfusion to look for?

    <p>Cool, moist extremities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done in case of suspected internal bleeding or pericardial tamponade?

    <p>Refer rapidly to a centre with surgical capabilities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the recommended action for external bleeding?

    <p>Apply direct pressure or use other technique to control</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done for fractures with compromised blood flow?

    <p>Bind pelvic fractures and splint femur fractures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the AVPU scale assess in a patient?

    <p>Level of consciousness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In trauma cases, what scale is recommended to assess level of consciousness?

    <p>Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be checked in a confused or unconscious patient?

    <p>Glucose level</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the AVPU scale assess in a patient?

    <p>Level of consciousness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When should glucose level be checked in a confused or unconscious patient?

    <p>Always</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) in trauma cases?

    <p>To assess level of consciousness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if snake bite is suspected?

    <p>Immobilize the limb</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What action should be taken to prevent hypothermia in acutely ill patients?

    <p>Cover the patient as soon as possible</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if cause of exposure is unknown?

    <p>Consider the possibility of trauma and log roll if suspected spinal injury</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if snake bite is suspected?

    <p>Immobilize the limb</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done to prevent hypothermia in acutely ill patients?

    <p>Cover the patient as soon as possible</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if cause of exposure is unknown?

    <p>Consider the possibility of trauma</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the visible signs and symptoms of airway obstruction due to a foreign body?

    <p>Visible secretions, vomit, or foreign bodies in the airway</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which abnormal sounds may indicate airway obstruction due to a foreign body?

    <p>Stridor, snoring, gurgling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential consequence of airway obstruction from the tongue?

    <p>Poor chest rise</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if the airway is completely obstructed by a foreign body?

    <p>Perform age-appropriate chest thrusts/abdominal thrusts/back blows</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How should the airway be opened in patients with a decreased level of consciousness?

    <p>Perform a head-tilt and chinlift manoeuvre</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When should a foreign body be removed from the airway?

    <p>Only if it is clearly visible</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if the airway is completely obstructed by a foreign body?

    <p>Perform age-appropriate chest thrusts/abdominal thrusts/back blows</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be used to open the airway in patients with a decreased level of consciousness?

    <p>Jaw thrust if there is concern for trauma</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When should a foreign body be removed from the airway?

    <p>Only if clearly visible</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if the airway is completely obstructed by a foreign body?

    <p>Perform age-appropriate chest thrusts/abdominal thrusts/back blows</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How should the airway be opened in patients with a decreased level of consciousness?

    <p>Perform a head-tilt and chinlift manoeuvre</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When should a foreign body be removed from the airway?

    <p>Only if clearly visible</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What may indicate airway obstruction due to burns?

    <p>Burned nasal hairs or soot around the nose or mouth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which abnormal sound may indicate airway obstruction due to burns?

    <p>Stridor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a visible sign of airway obstruction due to burns?

    <p>Poor chest rise</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done for patients with suspected airway burns, even if they do not show signs of hypoxia?

    <p>Administer oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to maintain cervical spine immobilization in burn patients?

    <p>To prevent spinal injury</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be planned for burn patients due to the potential rapid swelling and closure of the airway?

    <p>Rapid handover/transfer to advanced airway management provider</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done for burn patients with suspected airway burns, even if they do not show signs of hypoxia?

    <p>Administer oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done to open the airway in burn patients with evidence of trauma?

    <p>Maintain cervical spine immobilization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be planned for burn patients due to the potential rapid swelling and closure of the airway?

    <p>Rapid handover/transfer to a provider capable of advanced airway management</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Safety Considerations

    • Approach ill or injured patients with caution, considering potential risks and taking necessary precautions.
    • When approaching a road traffic crash scene, prioritize scene safety and wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
    • Handle aggressive or agitated patients calmly and safely, avoiding physical confrontation.
    • Be aware of infectious disease risks and take precautions, such as wearing PPE, especially when dealing with bodily fluids.

    Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

    • Wear gloves, masks, and eye protection to prevent exposure to bodily fluids.
    • Consider specific protective practices when approaching patients, such as using respirators or full-face shields.

    Infectious Diseases

    • Consider the risk of infectious diseases, such as HIV, Hepatitis, and tuberculosis, and take necessary precautions.
    • Perform hand hygiene before and after every patient contact to minimize infectious disease exposure.
    • Use hand sanitizer when hand washing is not immediately possible.

    Patient Assessment

    • Use the ABCDE approach to assess patients: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure.
    • Perform the ABCDE approach on all patients, considering potential life threats.
    • The 'A' in the ABCDE approach stands for Airway.
    • Assess airway obstacles, breathing, and circulation during the primary survey.

    Airway Management

    • If the patient is unconscious and not breathing normally with no trauma, begin ventilation with a bag-valve-mask device.
    • If a foreign body is suspected in a choking patient, encourage the patient to cough.
    • If the patient is choking and unable to cough or make sounds, perform back blows or abdominal thrusts.
    • A partially obstructed airway is indicated by labored breathing, stridor, or wheezing.
    • If there are no breath sounds on one side, hypotension, and a shifted trachea, consider a tension pneumothorax.

    Breathing and Circulation

    • If the patient is breathing inadequately, provide oxygen and consider ventilation.
    • If the patient is unconscious with abnormal breathing, consider ventilation and oxygen therapy.
    • If breathing is very fast, very slow, or very shallow, consider respiratory failure.
    • Signs of poor perfusion include pale or cool skin, decreased capillary refill, and weak or absent pulses.

    Trauma and Bleeding

    • In trauma cases, use the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) to assess level of consciousness.
    • Assess for signs of internal bleeding or pericardial tamponade and consider cardiothoracic surgery.
    • Control external bleeding with direct pressure and consider tourniquets.
    • Immobilize fractures with compromised blood flow.

    Glucose and Confusion

    • Check glucose levels in confused or unconscious patients.
    • Use the AVPU scale to assess level of consciousness: Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive.

    Snake Bites and Hypothermia

    • Suspect snake bites and treat accordingly.
    • Prevent hypothermia in acutely ill patients by maintaining a warm environment and using blankets.

    Airway Obstruction

    • Visible signs and symptoms of airway obstruction due to a foreign body include choking, gagging, and difficulty breathing.
    • Abnormal sounds indicating airway obstruction include stridor, wheezing, and coughing.
    • Completely obstructed airways require immediate removal of the foreign body.
    • Open the airway in patients with a decreased level of consciousness using the head-tilt, chin-lift, or jaw-thrust maneuver.

    Burns and Airway Management

    • Suspect airway burns if the patient has facial burns, singed nasal hairs, or hoarseness.
    • Indicators of airway obstruction due to burns include inspiratory stridor, wheezing, and hoarseness.
    • Maintain cervical spine immobilization in burn patients.
    • Plan for rapid intubation and potential surgical airway management in burn patients.

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    Description

    Learn about the critical importance of safety considerations when treating ill or injured patients. This includes identifying and addressing scene hazards to keep providers and bystanders safe.

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