Health and Safety in Activity Programming Flashcards

When an activity director suspects a resident is being abused or neglected, the legally mandated action is to:

Answer: Report the suspicion immediately to the appropriate supervisor and/or Adult Protective Services

Activity directors are mandated reporters in most states and must report suspected abuse or neglect immediately to supervisors and/or adult protective authorities without conducting their own investigation.

Safe lifting and transfer principles are important for activity staff because improper technique most commonly results in:

Answer: Staff musculoskeletal injuries and potential resident falls

Musculoskeletal injuries, particularly back injuries, are among the most common occupational hazards for healthcare workers who perform manual handling without proper technique.

A Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) for an art supply used in activities would most importantly inform the activity director about:

Answer: Health hazards, safe handling, and emergency procedures for the substance

Safety Data Sheets provide critical information about chemical hazards, safe use, required personal protective equipment, and emergency response procedures.

During a pet therapy visit, a therapy dog bites a resident. The activity director's immediate actions should include:

Answer: Removing the animal, ensuring the resident receives first aid, and reporting the incident per facility policy

Any animal bite requires the animal's immediate removal, prompt first aid and medical assessment for the resident, and timely incident reporting per facility policy.

When planning outdoor activities in cold weather, the activity director should monitor residents most closely for early signs of hypothermia, which include:

Answer: Shivering, confusion, and slurred speech

Early hypothermia presents with uncontrollable shivering, confusion, and slurred speech, signaling that the body is losing heat faster than it can produce it.

To comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, an activity department must ensure that staff have access to which protective measure at no cost to the employee?

Answer: Hepatitis B vaccination

OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires employers to offer Hepatitis B vaccination to all employees with occupational exposure at no cost to the employee.

Which action by an activity director best demonstrates proactive risk management in programming for residents with behavioral health needs?

Answer: Reviewing care plans and coordinating with the behavioral health team before programming to anticipate and plan for potential triggers

Proactively reviewing care plans and collaborating with behavioral health staff allows the activity director to anticipate triggers and design activities that support safe, meaningful participation.