Free PCT Patient Safety, Falls, and Restraints Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A PCT enters a patient's room and finds them on the floor. What is the first action the PCT should take?
- Help the patient back into bed immediately
- Assess the patient for injuries (Correct answer)
- Complete an incident report
- Call the patient's family
Correct answer: Assess the patient for injuries
The first priority after a patient fall is to assess the patient for any injuries and check their vital signs. Before moving the patient, it is crucial to determine their condition to prevent further harm. Calling for help from a nurse is the immediate next step after the initial assessment.
Question 2: Which of the following is a key fall prevention measure that a PCT should implement for all patients?
- Keeping all four side rails up at all times
- Placing the bed in the highest position
- Ensuring the call light and personal items are within reach (Correct answer)
- Applying restraints to any patient over 80 years old
Correct answer: Ensuring the call light and personal items are within reach
Keeping the patient's personal belongings, such as the call light, phone, and water, within easy reach is a universal fall prevention strategy. This reduces the need for the patient to get out of bed or stretch unsafely, which can lead to falls.
Question 3: When applying a wrist restraint, the PCT should ensure that:
- The restraint is tied to the side rail
- Two fingers can fit between the restraint and the patient's wrist (Correct answer)
- The patient's hand is pale and cool
- A double knot is used to secure the restraint
Correct answer: Two fingers can fit between the restraint and the patient's wrist
Restraints must be applied correctly to prevent injury. The PCT should be able to insert two fingers between the restraint and the patient's skin to ensure it is not too tight, which could compromise circulation or cause skin breakdown.
Question 4: A patient is in physical restraints. How often should the PCT check on the patient, including assessing circulation and skin integrity?
- Every 8 hours
- Every 4 hours
- Every 2 hours (Correct answer)
- Once per shift
Correct answer: Every 2 hours
Facility policies typically require checking on a patient in restraints at least every 2 hours, and often more frequently. These checks involve assessing circulation, skin integrity, and the patient's basic needs (toileting, hydration) and ensuring the restraint is still necessary and correctly applied.
Question 5: Which patient is at the highest risk for falls?
- A 30-year-old patient recovering from a minor surgery
- A 50-year-old patient who is alert and oriented
- A 75-year-old patient who is confused and has a history of falls (Correct answer)
- A 65-year-old patient with well-controlled diabetes
Correct answer: A 75-year-old patient who is confused and has a history of falls
Multiple factors increase fall risk. A patient who is confused and has a history of previous falls is at a very high risk. Confusion impairs judgment, and a history of falls is one of the strongest predictors of future falls.
Question 6: When using a gait belt to assist a patient with ambulation, where should the PCT stand?
- Directly in front of the patient
- On the patient's stronger side
- On the patient's weaker side and slightly behind (Correct answer)
- At least three feet away from the patient
Correct answer: On the patient's weaker side and slightly behind
To provide the best support and maintain proper body mechanics, the PCT should stand on the patient's weaker side and slightly behind them. This position allows the PCT to control the patient's center of gravity and provide immediate support if the patient starts to lose their balance.
Question 7: A PCT smells smoke and sees a small fire in a trash can in a patient's room. Using the RACE acronym, what is the first step?
- Rescue the patient from the room (Correct answer)
- Activate the fire alarm
- Close the door to the room
- Extinguish the fire with an extinguisher
Correct answer: Rescue the patient from the room
The RACE acronym stands for Rescue, Alarm, Contain, and Extinguish/Evacuate. The absolute first priority in a fire is to rescue anyone in immediate danger, which in this case means moving the patient out of the room to a safe location.
Free PCT Patient Safety, Falls, and Restraints Questions and Answers 1
A PCT enters a patient's room and finds them on the floor.
What is the first action the PCT should take?