Medical Procedures & Techniques Flashcards

What is the maximum safe angle for a subcutaneous injection?

Answer: 45 degrees

Subcutaneous injections are given at a 45-degree angle (or up to 90 degrees in patients with more adipose tissue) to deposit medication into the subcutaneous layer.

A patient requires a sputum specimen for culture. When is the best time to collect it?

Answer: Upon awakening in the morning

Sputum is most concentrated and easiest to expectorate upon awakening, before eating or oral hygiene.

When measuring a patient's blood pressure, which error leads to a falsely HIGH reading?

Answer: Using a cuff that is too narrow for the arm

A cuff that is too narrow compresses inadequately, requiring higher inflation pressure to occlude the artery, producing a falsely elevated reading.

During a sterile field setup, a sterile item touches the table edge 1 inch from the sterile drape border. What action is correct?

Answer: Consider the item contaminated and replace it

The outer 1-inch border of a sterile field is considered contaminated; any item contacting this zone must be replaced.

Which patient position is used during a lumbar puncture (spinal tap)?

Answer: Lateral recumbent with knees drawn to chest (fetal position)

The lateral recumbent fetal position (or sitting hunched forward) maximizes intervertebral space, allowing safe needle insertion.

When performing a peak flow measurement, how many attempts should the patient perform and which result is recorded?

Answer: Three attempts; record the highest value

The patient performs three maximal efforts and the highest reading is recorded as the peak expiratory flow rate.

A patient needs a throat culture. Which area of the throat should the swab target to obtain an accurate specimen?

Answer: Both tonsillar pillars and posterior pharynx, avoiding the tongue

The swab must contact both tonsillar pillars and the posterior pharyngeal wall while avoiding the tongue to obtain a valid throat culture.