Healthstream: Electrical Safety (PA)

What is a best practice when using power cords?

Using power cords that have 3-prong outlets. Use only power cords with three-prong plugs. Never use adapters, two-prong plugs, or broken three-prong plugs.

Possible injuries from electric shock are __________.

burns; cardiac arrest. Electric shock may cause cardiac arrest, burns, or long-term damage.

Materials that transmit electricity are ____________.

conductors. A material that transmits electricity is a conductor.

The Joint Commission expects healthcare facilities to prepare for power loss. Which of the following is a Joint Commission requirement?

Assess the risk for electrical power failure. The Joint Commission requires healthcare facilities to assess the risk for electrical power failure.

What is a best practice for protecting patients from electric shock and injury?

Keeping floors in patient areas dry. To help protect patients, keep floors in patient areas dry.

What should you do if you spot an electric hazard?

Report the hazard. Report all electric hazards right away.

______________ increases the risk of injury if a person is shocked.

Sweating. Anything that increases the moistness of body tissues (such as sweating or being very young) makes the person a better conductor and therefore more likely to be injured if shocked.

The flow of energy is _______________.

electricity. Electricity is the flow of energy.

Insulators include _________________.

glass, wood, and rubber. Glass, wood, and rubber do not conduct electricity and are therefore insulators.

Materials that resist electricity are ____________________.

insulators. A material that resists electricity is an insulator.

People can become ___________ because moist body tissues are _________________.

part of a circuit; conductors. Moist body tissues conduct electricity.