Patient Care & Safety Flashcards

A patient with a known penicillin allergy is prescribed amoxicillin. The medical technician reviewing the order should:

Answer: Withhold the medication and immediately notify the prescribing provider

Amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibiotic; a known penicillin allergy requires withholding the drug and alerting the prescriber.

Which patient position is recommended to prevent aspiration during enteral (tube) feeding?

Answer: Semi-Fowler's (head of bed elevated 30–45°)

Elevating the head of the bed 30–45° during and after enteral feeding reduces the risk of aspiration pneumonia.

A patient's oxygen saturation drops to 88% on room air. The FIRST action should be to:

Answer: Apply supplemental oxygen and notify the nurse or provider

An SpO2 of 88% is below the normal threshold; apply oxygen immediately and notify nursing/provider for further assessment.

The principle of 'chain of custody' in specimen collection primarily refers to:

Answer: Documented, unbroken record of specimen handling from collection to analysis

Chain of custody documents every person who handled a specimen to maintain legal integrity, especially for forensic or drug testing.

When using a biohazard sharps container, it should be:

Answer: Replaced when three-quarters (75%) full

Sharps containers should be replaced at the fill line (typically 75%) to prevent overfilling and accidental needlestick injuries.

A patient refusing a prescribed treatment has the right to do so under which ethical/legal principle?

Answer: Patient autonomy

Patient autonomy gives competent adults the legal and ethical right to refuse any medical treatment or procedure.

During CPR, the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single adult rescuer is:

Answer: 30:2

Current AHA guidelines recommend a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR.