Emergency and Safety Procedures Flashcards
6 cards from real CAREGIVER practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Emergency and Safety Procedures flashcards as text
You are assisting a client with their meal when they suddenly begin to cough weakly, grasp their throat, and are unable to speak. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
Answer: Perform abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver).
When a person is choking and unable to speak or cough forcefully, it indicates a severe airway obstruction. The recommended first aid is to perform abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) to dislodge the object. Offering water is incorrect and could worsen the situation. While someone else should call 911, your immediate priority is to provide first aid. Waiting is only appropriate if the person can still cough forcefully.
Which of the following is a critical component of fire safety and prevention in a client's home?
Answer: Keeping a space heater at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn.
Space heaters are a common fire hazard and must be kept at least 3 feet away from flammable items like curtains, bedding, and furniture. Locking doors without a quick-release mechanism can impede escape during a fire. Overloading extension cords is an electrical hazard. Throw rugs are a significant trip and fall hazard and are not recommended for fall prevention.
While talking with your client, you notice their face begins to droop on one side, they are having trouble raising one arm, and their speech is slurred. What do these signs most likely indicate?
Answer: A stroke
The symptoms described—facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulty—are classic warning signs of a stroke. The FAST acronym (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) is used to remember these signs and emphasize the need to call 911 immediately.
A fire alarm sounds in the facility where you are working. According to the R.A.C.E. safety protocol, what is the FIRST thing you should do?
Answer: Rescue anyone in immediate danger.
The R.A.C.E. acronym stands for Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate. The first priority in a fire is always to rescue and remove anyone from immediate danger. The subsequent steps are to activate the alarm, confine the fire, and then extinguish it if safe to do so or evacuate.
To minimize the risk of falls for an elderly client, which of the following home modifications is most effective?
Answer: Ensuring the home is brightly lit, especially in hallways and on stairs.
Good lighting is crucial for preventing falls, as it helps individuals see potential obstacles and navigate safely. Narrow paths, slippery floors, and non-supportive footwear like loose slippers actually increase the risk of falling.
Your client, who uses medical oxygen, wants to have a candle lit for their birthday. What is the correct response?
Answer: Explain that open flames are a serious fire hazard and cannot be used near medical oxygen.
Medical oxygen creates an oxygen-rich environment where fires can start and spread very easily. Open flames of any kind, including candles, are strictly prohibited in any room where medical oxygen is in use. There is no safe distance within the room, and turning off the oxygen temporarily does not eliminate the enriched oxygen in the environment. Using a fire extinguisher is a reactive measure; prevention is the primary safety rule.