WBBSE Madhyamik Vocational Health Care flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Normal adult pulse rate

60 to 100 beats per minute at rest. Rates below 60 are bradycardia and above 100 are tachycardia. Count the radial pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by two when the rhythm is regular.

Normal adult respiration rate

12 to 20 breaths per minute at rest. Count for 30 seconds and double the number when breathing is regular. Count a full minute when the rhythm is irregular or the rate is abnormal.

Normal adult body temperature

About 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius by the oral route. Rectal readings run roughly 0.5 degrees higher and axillary readings about 0.5 degrees lower than oral readings.

Normal adult blood pressure

A systolic pressure of 90 to 120 mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 60 to 80 mmHg. A reading of 140/90 mmHg or above on repeated measurement indicates hypertension.

Standard precautions

Infection-control measures applied to every patient regardless of diagnosis. They include hand hygiene, gloves for body-fluid contact, gown and mask when splash risk exists, and safe handling of sharps.

Hand hygiene indications

Perform hand hygiene before and after every patient contact, after removing gloves, after contact with body fluids, before invasive procedures, and after touching contaminated surfaces or equipment.

Autoclave sterilisation parameters

Steam sterilisation at 121 degrees Celsius and 15 pounds per square inch pressure for 15 to 20 minutes. This destroys all microorganisms including bacterial spores, which disinfection may not.

Biomedical waste colour coding

Yellow for anatomical and soiled waste, red for contaminated plastic, white for sharps in puncture-proof containers, and blue for glassware and metallic implants. Segregation happens at the point of generation.

Adult CPR compression ratio

Thirty chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths. Compress at 100 to 120 per minute to a depth of 5 to 6 centimetres, allowing full chest recoil between compressions.

Fowler position purpose

Sitting position with the head of the bed raised 45 to 60 degrees. It eases breathing in breathlessness and reduces the risk of aspiration during and after oral feeding.

Sims or lateral position

Side-lying position with the patient on the left side and the lower arm forward. Used for unconscious patients and vomiting patients so secretions drain out and the airway stays clear.

Pressure ulcer prevention

Reposition a bedridden patient at least every two hours, keep skin clean and dry, use pressure-relieving support, and inspect bony prominences such as sacrum, heels and elbows each shift.

Oliguria and anuria thresholds

Urine output below 400 millilitres per day is oliguria and below 100 millilitres per day is anuria. Both are abnormal and must be reported to the nurse in charge immediately.

Fall prevention measures

Keep the bed in the lowest position with wheels locked, raise side rails for at-risk patients, place the call bell within reach, provide non-slip footwear, and ensure adequate lighting.

Patient confidentiality rule

Patient information is shared only with the care team on a need-to-know basis. Disclosure without consent is limited to legal requirements, statutory notifications and immediate danger to life.

First aid priority sequence

Check scene safety, check responsiveness, call for help, then airway, breathing and circulation. Control severe bleeding and treat shock before moving on to the secondary survey.

Pulse sites and uses

Radial for routine counting, brachial for blood pressure and infants, carotid for adult cardiac arrest, femoral for arrest and children, and apical by stethoscope for irregular rhythm and infants.

Apical pulse counting rule

Listen with a stethoscope at the apex of the heart and count for one full minute. Required for infants, for patients on digitalis-type drugs, and whenever the radial rhythm is irregular.

Blood pressure cuff sizing

The cuff bladder should cover about 40 percent of arm circumference and about 80 percent of arm length. A cuff that is too small gives falsely high readings and one too large gives falsely low readings.

Intake-output charting

Record all fluids taken by mouth, tube or vein and all urine, vomit, stool and drain output. Compare the 24-hour totals and report a large negative balance or sudden fall in urine output.

Open versus closed questions

Open questions invite description and give the patient room to explain, such as asking what the pain feels like. Closed questions confirm specific facts and yield yes or no answers.

Active listening technique

Face the patient, keep eye contact, nod, allow silence, and restate what was said to confirm meaning. It builds trust and helps detect unspoken concerns such as fear or pain.

Informed consent elements

The patient must receive information on the nature, purpose, risks and alternatives of a procedure, must understand it, and must agree voluntarily. Consent is taken by the person performing the procedure.

Disinfection versus sterilisation

Disinfection reduces pathogens on inanimate objects but may not kill spores. Sterilisation destroys all microorganisms including spores, using steam, dry heat, ethylene oxide or chemical agents.

Sharps injury immediate action

Wash the wound with soap and running water, do not squeeze or scrub, allow bleeding, apply antiseptic, cover the wound, and report immediately so post-exposure prophylaxis can be assessed.

Shock warning signs

Pale cold clammy skin, rapid weak pulse, low blood pressure, rapid shallow breathing, thirst, restlessness and reduced urine output. Keep the patient warm, lying flat, and get urgent help.

Hypoglycaemia recognition

Sweating, trembling, hunger, confusion, rapid pulse and irritability in a known diabetic patient. If conscious, give oral glucose; if unconscious, do not give anything by mouth and seek urgent help.

Dehydration signs

Dry mouth and tongue, sunken eyes, reduced skin turgor, concentrated dark urine, low urine output, thirst and confusion in the elderly. Oral rehydration solution is used when the patient can swallow.

Pressure sore early signs

Non-blanching redness over a bony prominence, followed by blistering or shallow skin loss. Report at the redness stage, relieve pressure, and keep the area clean and dry.

Safe patient transfer rule

Explain the move first, lock the bed or wheelchair, keep the patient close to your body, bend at the knees not the waist, and use two helpers or a slide sheet for heavy or dependent patients.

Terminal cleaning of equipment

Clean visible soiling first with detergent, then apply the correct disinfectant for the contact time stated on the label. Cleaning must precede disinfection because organic matter inactivates disinfectants.

Reporting abnormal vital signs

Report immediately any temperature above 38 degrees Celsius, pulse below 60 or above 100, respiration below 12 or above 20, or systolic pressure below 90 mmHg. Record the time and the exact reading.