DOH Nursing Abu Dhabi DOH Standards & Patient Safety 3

Question 1

What is the purpose of the Surgical Safety Checklist (WHO) as adopted by DOH Abu Dhabi?

Accepted Answer

Prevent surgical errors by ensuring critical safety checks at sign-in, time-out, and sign-out phases

Answer

The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist reduces surgical mortality and complications through three phases: Sign-In (before anesthesia), Time-Out (before incision — final verification of patient, site, procedure), and Sign-Out (before leaving OR — instrument count, specimen labeling). Its use is mandatory in DOH-accredited facilities.

Question 2

A patient in Abu Dhabi refuses a blood transfusion on religious grounds. What is the nurse's responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Respect the patient's autonomous decision, document the informed refusal, and notify the treating team to explore alternatives

Answer

Patient autonomy includes the right to refuse treatment, including blood transfusions, even on religious grounds. The nurse must document the informed refusal, ensure alternatives are explored (cell salvage, EPO, volume expanders), and the team must respect the decision. UAE law and Islamic bioethics both support informed patient autonomy.

Question 3

Which color-coded wristband system is standardized for patient safety in Abu Dhabi DOH-regulated facilities?

Accepted Answer

Red = allergy, yellow = fall risk, purple = DNAR

Answer

DOH Abu Dhabi adopted standardized color-coded wristbands: Red for allergy, Yellow for fall risk, Purple (or Pink) for DNAR. This standardization aligns with international patient safety initiatives to reduce errors when patients transfer between units or facilities.

Question 4

What does 'open disclosure' mean in the context of DOH Abu Dhabi patient safety standards?

Accepted Answer

Openly communicating to a patient and/or family when something has gone wrong in their care, including an apology

Answer

Open disclosure is a professional and ethical obligation to tell patients and families when something has gone wrong with their care, express genuine empathy and apology, explain what happened and why, and describe what will be done to prevent recurrence. It is a core component of patient safety culture.

Question 5

A nurse in Abu Dhabi identifies that a patient has a pressure injury that was not present on admission. What should be documented and reported?

Accepted Answer

Document the location, stage, size, and characteristics; complete a pressure injury incident report and notify the treating physician

Answer

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) are reportable adverse events under DOH and quality standards. Documentation must include full wound assessment. An incident report is filed for quality improvement. The physician is notified for treatment orders. These are tracked as quality indicators.

DOH Nursing Practice Test

DOH Nursing Practice Test

DOH Nursing Abu Dhabi DOH Standards & Patient Safety 3