PCU Infection Control & Safety Flashcards

A PCU patient is prescribed warfarin and reports taking ibuprofen for back pain at home. What is the nurse's priority action?

Answer: Notify the physician and hold the next warfarin dose

NSAIDs like ibuprofen increase bleeding risk and can potentiate warfarin's anticoagulant effect; the physician must be notified before the next dose.

Which PCU patient situation requires the nurse to implement a 'time-out' before proceeding?

Answer: Insertion of a nasogastric tube at the bedside

Invasive procedures such as nasogastric tube insertion require a 'time-out' (or procedure verification pause) to confirm correct patient, procedure, and site.

A PCU nurse prepares to administer a high-alert medication (concentrated potassium chloride). Which safety practice is mandatory?

Answer: Verify the order and have a second nurse independently verify the preparation and dose

High-alert medications like concentrated KCl require independent double-checks by two nurses to prevent fatal medication errors.

When transferring a PCU patient to a step-down unit, which element of SBAR is MOST critical to communicate regarding patient safety?

Answer: Pending tests, outstanding safety concerns, and anticipated deterioration risks

SBAR handoffs must include pending diagnostics, safety concerns, and risk for deterioration to ensure the receiving nurse can anticipate and respond to changes.

A PCU patient with an allergy to penicillin is prescribed cefazolin. What should the nurse do first?

Answer: Notify the prescriber and pharmacist of the penicillin allergy before administration

Cross-reactivity between penicillins and cephalosporins exists (estimated 1–2%); the prescriber and pharmacist must be notified to assess risk before administration.

Which strategy BEST supports a culture of safety in the PCU?

Answer: Encouraging near-miss and error reporting without fear of punitive action

A just culture encourages voluntary, non-punitive reporting of near-misses and errors so the system can learn and improve, reducing future harm.