NCCT NCPCT flashcards

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

ADLs

Activities of daily living include bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating, transferring, and ambulating; they are basic self-care tasks assessed to determine patient independence.

IADLs

Instrumental activities of daily living include shopping, cooking, housekeeping, managing money, using transportation, and managing medications; they reflect higher-level independence.

Radial pulse site

The radial artery at the wrist thumb side is the most common pulse site; compress lightly until pulse is felt, do not use thumb.

Axillary temperature

Axillary temperature is measured in the armpit and is typically about 0.5 degrees Celsius lower than oral temperature; it is safe and noninvasive.

Intake and output

Intake and output records measure all fluids taken in and eliminated; 1 ounce equals 30 milliliters, and 1 liter equals 1,000 milliliters.

Body mechanics lift

When lifting, keep feet shoulder-width apart, bend knees, hold load close to body, and avoid twisting; pivot with feet to protect the back.

Fowler position

Fowler position places the patient supine with head elevated 45 to 60 degrees; semi-Fowler is 30 to 45 degrees, used for breathing ease.

Orthostatic hypotension

Orthostatic hypotension is a systolic drop of at least 20 mm Hg or diastolic drop of at least 10 mm Hg within three minutes of standing.

Pulse deficit

Pulse deficit is the difference between apical heart rate and radial pulse rate; it is calculated by subtracting radial from apical and suggests ineffective contractions.

Normal adult respiratory rate

Normal adult resting respiratory rate is 12 to 20 breaths per minute; count for 30 seconds and multiply by two when rhythm is regular.

Oxygen saturation

Oxygen saturation measures hemoglobin-bound oxygen; normal is 95 to 100 percent on room air, and values below 90 percent require urgent evaluation.

Blood pressure cuff size

Bladder width should be about 40 percent of arm circumference and length about 80 percent; wrong size can falsely raise or lower readings.

Pain assessment

Pain is assessed by location, quality, intensity, timing, radiation, and aggravating factors; use a 0-to-10 scale when the patient can report.

Standard precautions

Standard precautions apply to all patients and include hand hygiene, gloves, gown, mask, eye protection as needed, and safe handling of sharps and body fluids.

PPE removal order

Remove gloves first, then goggles or face shield, then gown, then mask; perform hand hygiene immediately after removing all personal protective equipment.

Airborne precautions

Airborne precautions require an N95 respirator and negative-pressure room for diseases such as tuberculosis, measles, and varicella; visitors follow facility policy.

Needlestick first aid

After a needlestick, wash the site with soap and water, report immediately, and follow post-exposure protocol; do not squeeze or milk the wound.

Sterile field border

A one-inch border around a sterile drape is considered nonsterile; objects touching the border or below waist level are contaminated.

Fall precautions

Fall precautions include keeping the bed low with brakes locked, call light within reach, non-skid footwear, and assisting the patient with toileting.

Gait belt use

A gait belt is placed around the patient's waist over clothing and used to assist transfers; check fit and never use it as a restraint.

Standard ECG paper speed

Standard ECG paper runs at 25 millimeters per second; one small box is 0.04 second and one large box is 0.20 second.

Heart rate from ECG

For a regular rhythm, divide 300 by the number of large boxes between R waves; alternatively divide 1,500 by small boxes.

Normal sinus rhythm

Normal sinus rhythm has a regular rate of 60 to 100, a P wave before every QRS, PR interval 0.12 to 0.20 second, and QRS under 0.12 second.

Lead V1 placement

V1 is placed at the fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border; V2 is at the same level on the left sternal border.

Order of draw

Common order of draw is blood culture, light blue citrate, serum tube, green heparin, lavender EDTA, then gray fluoride; follow facility policy.

Venipuncture site cleanse

Clean the venipuncture site with alcohol using concentric circles from center outward, allow it to dry, and do not touch the site afterward.

Hemolysis causes

Hemolysis can result from vigorous shaking, small needle gauge, prolonged tourniquet time, or forceful syringe pulling; it can invalidate laboratory results.

HIPAA minimum necessary

HIPAA requires limiting protected health information disclosure to the minimum necessary for the purpose; avoid discussing patient information in public areas.

SBAR communication

SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation; it is a structured handoff tool for clear, concise patient information transfer.

Informed consent

Informed consent requires patient capacity, voluntary choice, and understanding of risks, benefits, and alternatives; the technician may witness but not obtain consent.

Mandatory reporting

Health workers must report suspected abuse or neglect, certain communicable diseases, and specified injuries such as gunshot wounds according to state law.

Chain of command

Chain of command is the reporting hierarchy used to address unsafe conditions or practice concerns; report to the immediate supervisor, then higher authority if unresolved.