Patient Safety & Risk Management Flashcards
7 cards from real CHS 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 pacemaker is referred for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. What is the primary safety concern that must be assessed?
Answer: The pacemaker must be verified as pressure-tolerant to the treatment depth
Pacemakers must be verified as pressure-tolerant to the planned treatment depth, as some devices may malfunction under hyperbaric conditions.
During a hyperbaric treatment, a patient begins exhibiting grand mal seizure activity. What is the FIRST action the hyperbaric technician should take?
Answer: Remove the oxygen mask or hood to stop oxygen delivery
Removing the oxygen mask or hood to stop oxygen delivery is the immediate first step to manage oxygen toxicity seizures in the hyperbaric environment.
Which of the following patients represents an ABSOLUTE contraindication to hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Answer: A patient with untreated pneumothorax
Untreated pneumothorax is an absolute contraindication because hyperbaric pressure can cause the pneumothorax to expand during decompression, leading to tension pneumothorax.
A patient reports taking disulfiram (Antabuse) prior to hyperbaric treatment. Why is this clinically significant for hyperbaric safety?
Answer: Disulfiram increases the risk of central nervous system oxygen toxicity
Disulfiram inhibits superoxide dismutase, which is a protective enzyme against oxygen free radicals, thereby increasing CNS oxygen toxicity risk.
What is the recommended minimum interval between hyperbaric oxygen treatments to reduce cumulative pulmonary oxygen toxicity risk?
Answer: 4 hours
A minimum 4-hour interval between treatments allows partial recovery from pulmonary oxygen toxicity effects and is standard practice in most HBO protocols.
A fire breaks out inside a monoplace hyperbaric chamber during treatment. What is the correct immediate response?
Answer: Decompress the chamber immediately per emergency protocol and notify the fire department
Immediate emergency decompression per established protocol and notification of the fire department is the correct response to an in-chamber fire.
Which documentation element is MOST critical to include in a hyperbaric treatment record for patient safety and liability purposes?
Answer: Pre-treatment assessment findings, treatment parameters, and any adverse events
Pre-treatment assessment findings, exact treatment parameters, and any adverse events form the essential safety and legal record of each hyperbaric treatment.