Patient Safety & Risk Management Flashcards
7 cards from real BHP 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 Safety & Risk Management flashcards as text
A patient with a history of aggression becomes increasingly agitated during a session. Which de-escalation technique should be used FIRST?
Answer: Use a calm tone, maintain safe distance, and offer choices
Verbal de-escalation using a calm voice, non-threatening posture, and offering choices is the first-line intervention for agitation.
In a behavioral health facility, which of the following falls under a 'sentinel event' as defined by The Joint Commission?
Answer: An unexpected patient death unrelated to the natural course of illness
A sentinel event is an unexpected occurrence involving death or serious harm not related to the natural course of the patient's illness.
Which principle guides the decision to use the LEAST restrictive intervention when managing patient safety in behavioral health?
Answer: The ethical principle of autonomy and dignity preservation
Least-restrictive interventions are grounded in respecting patient autonomy and dignity while still ensuring safety.
A patient on a 1:1 observation level attempts self-harm while the assigned staff member steps away briefly. What is the MOST important immediate step?
Answer: Provide immediate first aid and call for assistance
Immediate patient safety—providing first aid and calling for help—takes absolute priority before any documentation or administrative steps.
What is the primary purpose of a root cause analysis (RCA) following a critical incident in behavioral health?
Answer: To identify systemic factors that contributed to the event and prevent recurrence
RCA focuses on identifying system-level causes and contributing factors to prevent future incidents, not on individual blame.
A patient reports that another patient threatened them with physical harm. What is the BHP's FIRST priority?
Answer: Separate the patients and ensure immediate safety
Physical separation and ensuring immediate safety of the reporting patient is the first priority when a threat is disclosed.
Which environmental modification in a behavioral health unit is MOST directly aimed at suicide prevention?
Answer: Removing ligature points from rooms and bathrooms
Removing ligature points (anchor points where items could be tied to cause strangulation) directly reduces suicide risk by limiting means.