NCT flashcards
NCT · Build recall with a focused review session.
33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Five rights of delegation
- Right task, right circumstance, right person, right direction and communication, and right supervision and evaluation. The licensed nurse remains accountable for the delegated task.
- Unlicensed assistive scope
- Tasks limited to basic care within training, policy, and state law; excludes initial assessment, care planning, outcome evaluation, and patient teaching requiring nursing judgment.
- Standard precautions
- Infection-control practices applied to every patient regardless of diagnosis: hand hygiene, gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection based on anticipated exposure to blood or body fluids.
- Hand hygiene exceptions
- Use soap and water rather than alcohol rub when hands are visibly soiled and after caring for patients with C. difficile, because alcohol does not kill spores.
- Fall precautions bundle
- Bed lowest, brakes locked, call light in reach, non-skid footwear, hourly rounding, and alarms when ordered. Reassess after any change in condition or medication.
- Restraint monitoring requirements
- Requires a provider order and the least restrictive device; check circulation and skin every 15 minutes, release at least every 2 hours, and never tie to side rails.
- Airborne precautions
- Used for tuberculosis, measles, and varicella: N95 respirator, negative-pressure room, and door closed. Contact and droplet precautions do not require negative pressure.
- Sharps safety rule
- Never recap a needle by hand. Activate the safety device and drop the sharp directly into a puncture-resistant container at the point of use.
- Normal adult vital signs
- Temperature 36.5-37.5 C, pulse 60-100 beats/min, respirations 12-20/min, blood pressure under 120/80 mmHg, and SpO2 95-100% on room air.
- Pulse deficit
- The difference between apical and radial rates counted simultaneously for one full minute by two caregivers. It indicates ineffective cardiac output and must be reported.
- Orthostatic hypotension criteria
- A drop of 20 mmHg systolic or 10 mmHg diastolic within 3 minutes of standing, often with dizziness. Measure supine, then at 1 and 3 minutes standing.
- Counting respirations
- Count for a full 60 seconds without telling the patient, since awareness changes rate and depth. Note rate, rhythm, depth, and effort.
- Blood pressure cuff sizing
- Cuff width should be about 40% of arm circumference. A cuff too small falsely raises the reading; a cuff too large falsely lowers it.
- Pain assessment scales
- Numeric 0-10 scale for adults, Wong-Baker faces for children, and PAINAD or similar behavioral scale for nonverbal or dementia patients.
- Perineal care direction
- Cleanse front to back with a new washcloth for each stroke to prevent urinary tract infection. Rinse thoroughly and dry gently.
- Log-roll technique
- Keep the spine aligned: pillow between knees, arms crossed over chest, and move the patient as one unit with enough helpers to prevent shear and injury.
- Aspiration precautions
- Elevate head of bed 30-45 degrees during and 30 minutes after meals, place food on the stronger side, and observe for coughing, pocketing, or wet voice.
- Intake and output recording
- Record all oral and IV fluids, tube feedings, emesis, urine, liquid stool, and drains. One milliliter of urine weighs about one gram.
- Minimum urine output
- About 30 mL per hour in adults. Output below this for two consecutive hours, with weight gain or edema, is reported to the nurse promptly.
- Clean-catch midstream urine
- Cleanse front to back, void a small amount, collect the midstream portion in a sterile container, and label at the bedside with two identifiers.
- Blood glucose fingerstick
- Clean the finger with alcohol and let it dry, use the side of the fingertip, follow policy on wiping the first drop, and never share lancets.
- Specimen labeling rule
- Label at the bedside with two patient identifiers and the collector's initials. Mislabeled specimens are rejected and must be recollected.
- Sputum collection technique
- Best collected in the early morning. Have the patient rinse the mouth, then cough deeply from the lungs rather than clearing the throat.
- SBAR hand-off
- Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation. A structured format for concise, complete communication during hand-offs and escalation calls.
- Objective documentation language
- Record measurable findings and quotes, such as grimacing and a pain rating, rather than judgments or opinions. Include time, intervention, and patient response.
- HIPAA need-to-know rule
- Share protected health information only with those involved in the patient's care. Do not discuss patients in hallways, elevators, or on social media.
- Two patient identifiers
- Verify identity using name plus date of birth or medical record number before any care, medication, or specimen. Room number is never an identifier.
- High-quality CPR
- Compressions at 100-120 per minute, depth 5-6 cm, full chest recoil, minimal interruptions, and early AED use. Activate the emergency system first.
- Seizure safety actions
- Protect the head, turn the patient to the side, loosen restrictive clothing, time the event, and never insert anything into the mouth.
- Hypoglycemia first response
- Check blood glucose and notify the nurse. If the patient is conscious and able to swallow, give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate per protocol and recheck.
- Early warning escalation signs
- Respiratory rate above 28 or below 8, SpO2 below 90%, systolic pressure below 90, new confusion, or urine output below 30 mL per hour.
- Informed consent responsibility
- The provider obtains informed consent. The technician may witness the signature but does not explain risks or answer procedure questions beyond confirming understanding.
- Mandatory reporting duty
- Suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children, older adults, or dependent adults must be reported under state law and facility policy.