Clinical Assessment & Patient Care Flashcards

In most U.S. hospitals, what does an overhead "Code Blue" announce?

Answer: Cardiac or respiratory arrest

Code Blue summons the resuscitation team for a patient in cardiac or respiratory arrest.

For an order of "daily weight," what is the best practice to ensure accuracy?

Answer: Weigh at the same time, on the same scale, with similar clothing, usually before breakfast

Consistent timing, scale, and clothing make daily weights comparable for fluid-status monitoring.

What does a "telemetry" order mean for a patient?

Answer: Continuous remote cardiac rhythm monitoring

Telemetry transmits the patient's ECG continuously to a central monitoring station.

Which item is NOT permitted on a clear liquid diet?

Answer: Milk

Clear liquids must be transparent at room temperature; milk is allowed only on a full liquid diet.

Which condition typically requires droplet precautions?

Answer: Influenza

Influenza spreads by large respiratory droplets, so a surgical mask is worn when near the patient.

On a patient care order, what does "HOB" stand for?

Answer: Head of bed

HOB means head of bed, as in "HOB elevated 30 degrees."

An order reads "Fingerstick blood glucose AC & HS." When is it performed?

Answer: Before meals and at bedtime

AC means before meals and HS means at hour of sleep (bedtime).