Patient Care & Clinical Skills Flashcards

Which action is the MOST important step a practical nurse should take before any patient-care procedure?

Answer: Perform hand hygiene

Hand hygiene is the single most effective action to prevent healthcare-associated infections and must occur before every patient-care procedure.

When inserting a urinary catheter in a female patient, the practical nurse should cleanse the meatus using which technique?

Answer: Front to back, using a new swab for each stroke

Cleansing front to back with a new swab each time prevents fecal organisms from entering the urethra and reduces UTI risk.

A patient is ordered to receive a nasogastric tube feeding. Before administering the feeding, the nurse's PRIORITY action is to:

Answer: Verify tube placement and residual gastric volume

Verifying tube placement and checking residual volume prevents aspiration by confirming the tube is in the stomach and the patient can tolerate the feeding.

A practical nurse is assisting a patient who has had a stroke with ambulation. Where should the nurse stand to provide safe support?

Answer: On the patient's weaker (affected) side

Standing on the patient's weaker side provides support where balance and muscle control are compromised, reducing the risk of falls.

Which finding when assessing a wound dressing requires the practical nurse to notify the supervising RN immediately?

Answer: The dressing shows bright red, rapidly spreading drainage

Bright red, rapidly spreading drainage indicates active arterial bleeding, which requires immediate escalation and intervention.

When performing range-of-motion (ROM) exercises on a patient, the practical nurse should stop and assess if:

Answer: The patient reports pain or resistance is felt

Pain or unexpected resistance during ROM may indicate injury, contracture, or inflammation, requiring assessment before continuing.