Patient Care Exam II study guide

What are the 4 types of wheelchair transfers?

(1) standby assist, (2) assisted standing pivot, (3) two-person lift, and (4) hydraulic lift

What is the average respiration?

12-20 breaths/minute

What is average blood pressure?

120/80 mmHg (systolic/diastolic)

What is the average pulse?

60-100 bpm

What is the normal range of body temperature?

98.6°F varying from 97.6°F-100°F (36.5°C-37.8°C)

Biomechanics

A component of physics, the laws of Newtonian mechanics, applied to living bodies at rest and in motion.

What is a high-flow oxygen device?

A high-flow device, sometimes referred to as a fixed or precise oxygen concentration device, does meet or exceed the inspiratory needs of the patient when the device is functioning properly. The inspired concentration of oxygen does not change with altered breathing patterns because high-flow systems function on an air-entrainment principle.

What is a low-flow oxygen device?

A low-flow, or variable-oxygen concentration, device does not meet the entire inspiratory needs of the patient. An unknown amount of room air is entrained through the nose or mouth of the patient and mixes with the constant amount of 100% oxygen delivered

Orthostatic Hypotension

A sudden drop in blood pressure in the brain when a person stands up quickly from a sitting or supine position, causing the oxygen in the brain to drop and the person to become dizzy and prone to falling.

Ambulatory

Able to walk

Tachypnea

Abnormal rapidity of breathing

Bradypnea

Abnormal slowness of breathing

Hyperthermia

Abnormally high body temperature, especially that induced for therapeutic purposes

Hypotension

Abnormally low blood pressure; seen in shock but not necessarily indicative of shock

Atelectasis

Absence of gas from part or the whole of the lungs as a result of failure of expansion or reabsorption of gas from the alveoli

Immobilization

Act of rendering immovable

Respiration

Action of inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide during breathing

Axial Projetion

Any projection not at right angles to the long axis of an anatomic structure

Apnea

Cessation of spontaneous ventilation

Hypoxemia

Decreased oxygen tension (concentration) in the blood

Dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing

Orthopnea

Difficulty breathing except when sitting up or standing erect

Anteroposterior

Direction of x-ray beam from front to back

Base of Support

Foundation on which a body rests or stands; when people stand, their feet and the space between the feet define the base of support.

What are the components of good body mechanics?

Fundamental to good patient handling techniques are the concepts of the base of support, center of gravity, and mobility and stability muscles.

Center of Gravity

Hypothetical point around which all mass appears to be concentrated.

Where is the location of Center of Gravity?

In humans aligned in the anatomic position, the center of gravity is at approximately sacral level two, with slight variations between men and women

Pleural Effusion

Increased amounts of fluid within the pleural cavity, usually the result of inflammation

Thoracostomy Tube

Insertion of a chest tube into the pleural cavity to drain air, blood, or other fluids (chest tube); -Insertion sites for thoracostomy vary with the intrapleural substances to be removed -Usually inserted in 5th to 6th intercostal space -Laterally and midaxillary line -Can be as high as 4th intercostal space and as low as 8th

Intubation

Insertion of a tubular device into a canal, hollow organ, or cavity

Sphygmomanometer

Instrument for measuring blood pressure

What is the recommended communication for transfers?

Introduce yourself to the patient and explain who you are and what you would like to do

Commonly Attached Medical Equipment

Items clipped, fastened, or affixed to patients' bodies to deliver substances, such as oxygen, medications, hydration, or nutrition, or drain away substances, such as postsurgical fluids or urine. Care must be taken when moving or positioning patients with these attachments. Neither the patient nor the clinician should get injured during this activity. The equipment should also survive intact without damage or functional impairment

Auscultation

Listening to sounds of the body, typically through the use of a stethoscope

Hypothermia

Low body temperature

Ventilation

Mechanical movement of air into and out of the lungs

Involved Immobilization Techniques

More complex techniques might involve completely wrapping an infant or small child in a sheet (often referred to as a mummy wrap or bunny method) or securing a trauma patient to a backboard to facilitate transport of the patient to the emergency department and minimize the possibility of more severe complications

Mobility Muscles

Muscles that are found in the four extremities and designed for movement; examples include the biceps femoris, biceps brachii, and gastrocnemius. These muscles have long white tendons and are also called white muscles.

Stability Muscles

Muscles that support the torso and are designed to provide postural stability; examples include the latissimus dorsi, abdominal group, and erector spinae. These muscles tend to have thick red muscle bellies and are also called red muscles.

Neonates

Newborn infants

Hypertension

Persistently high arterial blood pressure

Diastolic

Pertaining to dilation, or a period of relaxation of the heart, especially of the ventricles

Febrile

Pertaining to or characterized by fever

Pediatric

Pertaining to the branch of medicine that treats children

Geriatric

Pertaining to the treatment of the aged

Systolic

Pertaining to tightening, or a period of contraction of the heart (myocardium), especially that of the ventricles

Pulse Oximeter

Photoelectric device used for determining the oxygen saturation of the blood

Pneumothorax

Presence of air or gas in the pleural cavity

Diaphoresis

Profuse sweating

Tachycardia

Rapidity of the heart action, usually defined as a heart rate greater than 100 BPM

Hypoxia

Reduction of oxygen supply to the tissue

Rapport

Relation of harmony and accord between two persons

Difference between restraint and immobilization?

Restraining is to hinder one's movement while immobilization the act of rendering one immovable. With restraining devices patients can still technically move if they were to try but immobilization devices do not give them the freedom of mobility

Sand Bags

Sandbags, unlike radiolucent positioning sponges, are radiopaque (i.e., radiation does not pass through easily). As a result, they cannot be placed in such a way that diagnostic information is obscured within the anatomic area of interest. A common use of sandbags as positioning aids

Bradycardia

Slowness of the heartbeat as evidenced by slowing of the pulse rate to less than 60 beats per minute (BPM)

Stability Bars

Stability bars are located on most upright Bucky units. Created to assist patients when performing lateral chest examinations. The purpose is twofold: to move the patient's arms above their head and out of the area of interest as well as providing stability and steadiness.

Artifacts

Substances or structures not naturally present but of which an authentic image appears on an image

Simple Immobilization Techniques

The Simplest techniques involve the use of a positioning sponge to support the anatomic area of interest or gently laying a sandbag across a patient's forearm to minimize shaking caused by patient anxiety

Communication

The patient is often capable of cooperation and would be more than willing to facilitate the examination if he or she were simply informed of what was going to happen and apprised of the importance of cooperation in producing an accurate diagnosis

Position Sponges

These sponges come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are designed to support the patient or the anatomic area of interest by reducing physical strain on the patient from having to hold a position that might otherwise be difficult to achieve

Cervical Collar Considerations

This device is designed to place traction on the cervical spine to prevent further life-threatening movement in this vital area. The cross-table lateral, anteroposterior (AP), and AP open-mouth positions may be used to evaluate the cervical spine during a cervical trauma examination. All projections can be produced with the cervical collar in place

What are the Safety Precautions of Transport?

To promote safety for patients and staff, health professionals involved with patient handling and movement must decide on the appropriate type of transfer. In performing a transfer, let the patient do as much of the work as possible. Before attempting a transfer, always ask the patient whether he or she can move independently. Patients can often transfer on their own or with minimal assistance. If assistance is required, let the patient help.

Velcro Straps

Velcro straps can be effective as restraining or positioning devices. Velcro straps can also be used in immobilizing only the area of interest during the procedure. Velcro straps can serve as a safety precaution when performing a procedure on a patient who is not completely cognizant, such as those who are heavily medicated or intoxicated or who have diminished mental capacities

Tidal Volume

Volume of air inhaled and exhaled during one respiratory cycle

What is it called when there's an abnormal increase in body temperature?

When the oral temperature is higher than 99.5°F, a fever exists (hyperthermia). A patient with a fever is said to be febrile

What is it called when there's an abnormal decrease in body temperature

When the patient's temperature falls below the normal range, hypothermia

Endotracheal Tube (ETT)

a flexible plastic tube that is inserted into the trachea, usually under laryngoscopy, for the purpose of ventilating the lungs

Head Clamps

are designed strictly for use in positioning various projections of the skull. When applied safely and appropriately, head clamps serve more as positioning aids than as immobilization devices.

Velcro Strap Restraints

designed to be attached easily to the radiography table. These types of restraints include two brackets that mount to each side of the table with a strap that is adjustable for any size patient. It can be adjusted to cover any part of the body, such as the chest, abdomen, or legs. These restraints can also be used for compression.