NMC-CBT Patient Safety and Risk Assessment Flashcards
6 cards from real NMC CBT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 NMC-CBT Patient Safety and Risk Assessment flashcards as text
A 78-year-old patient is admitted to the ward. When is the most appropriate time to complete a falls risk assessment?
Answer: On admission and repeated regularly or after any change in condition
A falls risk assessment should be completed on admission to establish a baseline and identify immediate risks. This assessment should then be repeated regularly, especially after a fall or a change in the patient's condition, to ensure ongoing safety.
Which of the following is the most critical step for a nurse to take to prevent a medication administration error?
Answer: Positively identifying the patient using their wristband against the prescription
While all checks are important, confirming the patient's identity using at least two identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) against the medication chart is a fundamental step of the '5 Rights'. This ensures the right medication is given to the right patient.
When using a validated tool such as the Waterlow score to assess a patient's risk of developing a pressure ulcer, which factor is considered most significant?
Answer: Mobility and activity level
Immobility and reduced mobility are the most significant risk factors for pressure ulcer development. Prolonged pressure on bony prominences restricts blood flow, leading to tissue damage.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), what is the single most effective action to reduce the transmission of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs)?
Answer: Performing effective hand hygiene at key moments
Effective hand hygiene is consistently cited as the most important, simplest, and least expensive means of preventing the spread of HCAIs. It breaks the chain of infection by removing or destroying microorganisms on the hands.
What is the primary purpose of completing an incident report (e.g., using a Datix or IR1 form) after a patient safety event?
Answer: To learn from the event and prevent recurrence
The primary goal of incident reporting is not to assign blame but to learn from events, identify patterns or system failures, and implement changes to improve patient safety. This fosters a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
In line with NICE guidelines, when must a patient be assessed for their risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE)?
Answer: On admission to hospital
NICE guidelines mandate that all patients must have a VTE risk assessment performed on admission to hospital. This is crucial as hospitalisation is a major risk factor for developing blood clots, and early assessment allows for timely implementation of preventative measures.