Reading: Workplace Text Comprehension Flashcards

A staff memo states: 'All wound dressings must be changed every 48 hours unless clinical signs indicate otherwise.' A patient's dressing was changed 50 hours ago with no abnormal signs. What action is required?

Answer: Change the dressing as it is overdue

The dressing exceeds the 48-hour limit and no clinical signs justify an exception, so it must be changed.

A policy reads: 'Visitors are permitted between 14:00 and 16:00 daily, except in the Intensive Care Unit.' Where do these visiting hours NOT apply?

Answer: The Intensive Care Unit

The word 'except' identifies the ICU as the area excluded from the stated visiting hours.

A guideline notes: 'Hand hygiene must be performed before and after every patient contact.' How many times should hands be cleaned for a single patient interaction?

Answer: Twice

Cleaning before and after contact means two separate hand-hygiene actions.

An equipment notice states: 'Defective items should be tagged and reported to the duty manager immediately.' What is the FIRST step on finding a faulty item?

Answer: Tag it

The instruction lists tagging before reporting, making it the first action.

A roster note reads: 'Shift swaps require approval from the unit coordinator at least 24 hours in advance.' A nurse requests a swap 12 hours before the shift. What is the outcome?

Answer: The swap does not meet the notice requirement

Twelve hours is less than the required 24-hour minimum notice, so the request fails the rule.

A protocol states: 'Record vital signs hourly for the first six hours post-operation.' How many recordings are expected in that period?

Answer: Six

Recording hourly across six hours produces six readings.

A circular advises: 'Medication errors, however minor, must be documented on the incident form.' Which errors require documentation?

Answer: All errors, including minor ones

The phrase 'however minor' confirms that every error, regardless of severity, must be recorded.