Patient Care & Safety Protocols Flashcards
7 cards from real CET practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Care & Safety Protocols flashcards as text
A patient with a known history of esophageal varices is referred for TEE. What is the most appropriate action?
Answer: Notify the ordering physician and discuss the risk of esophageal bleeding
Esophageal varices are a relative contraindication to TEE; the ordering physician must be notified to weigh the risks of esophageal bleeding against the clinical benefit.
Which of the following best describes the 'time-out' procedure before a TEE?
Answer: Verification of patient identity, procedure, allergies, and consent before starting
The surgical time-out is a safety checklist pause to verify patient identity, correct procedure, allergies, and informed consent before initiating invasive procedures.
A patient with claustrophobia becomes extremely anxious during a transesophageal echocardiogram preparation. What is the best initial intervention?
Answer: Use therapeutic communication to calm the patient and notify the supervising physician
Therapeutic communication should be used first to reduce anxiety, and the supervising physician should be notified to determine if additional anxiolytic medication is appropriate.
When transporting a critically ill ICU patient to the echo lab for a TTE, which monitoring is minimally required during transport?
Answer: Continuous ECG and SpO2 monitoring with a portable defibrillator available
Critically ill patients require continuous ECG and SpO2 monitoring with emergency resuscitation equipment available during transport.
An echocardiographer sustains a needlestick injury from a contaminated needle while preparing a contrast echo. What is the FIRST step?
Answer: Immediately wash the wound with soap and water and report to occupational health
Immediate washing of the wound with soap and water followed by prompt reporting to occupational health is the correct first response to a needlestick injury.
Which patient position is generally preferred for left heart structure visualization during a standard TTE?
Answer: Left lateral decubitus position
The left lateral decubitus position moves the heart closer to the chest wall, improving acoustic windows for left heart structure visualization.
A patient's family member insists on remaining in the echo lab during a TEE procedure. What is the appropriate response?
Answer: Allow the family member if the patient consents
If the patient consents, some facilities may allow a family member to remain; however, this must align with facility policy and patient privacy (HIPAA) requirements.