7 Risk Reduction and Early Deterioration Free Online FlashCards

When should individualized prevention measures be reassessed?

Match precautions to the patient’s specific risks and reassess them when mobility, cognition, treatment, condition, or care setting changes.

What are key measures for preventing falls?

Assess mobility, balance, cognition, medications, and toileting needs; keep the call device and needed items within reach, and assist with transfers and walking.

How can pressure injury risk be reduced and early changes recognized?

Inspect skin and device-contact areas, reduce prolonged pressure, support mobility, and keep skin clean and appropriately dry. Report new discoloration, warmth, pain, or breakdown.

What practices help reduce infection risk?

Use hand hygiene, appropriate protective equipment, safe injection practices, and clean equipment. Use invasive devices only when indicated, maintain them aseptically, and review their ongoing need.

What checks help prevent medication and treatment harm?

Complete required patient-identification and medication-safety checks; review allergies, high-risk medicines, and monitoring needs. Promptly report discrepancies, adverse effects, or unexpected responses.

How should current assessments be interpreted during surveillance?

Compare each assessment with the patient’s baseline and look for trends across observations, rather than relying only on isolated numbers.

What is the role of an early-warning score?

They can help identify risk, but they do not replace clinical judgment, direct reassessment, or concerns raised by the patient or family.

Which respiratory changes may signal deterioration?

New or worsening breathing difficulty, rapid breathing, falling oxygen saturation, or increasing oxygen needs are warning signs requiring attention.

Which changes in mental status are warning signs?

New confusion, reduced alertness, agitation, fainting, or difficulty waking may indicate deterioration and warrant prompt assessment.

What is important when recognizing possible sepsis?

Possible signs include fever or feeling very cold, clammy skin, confusion, shortness of breath, extreme discomfort, and a high heart rate or weak pulse. Do not wait for every sign.

What should you do first when a patient’s condition worsens?

Stay with the patient and promptly reassess airway, breathing, circulation, mental status, and vital signs. Confirm unexpected readings when safe, without delaying help.

When should a clinician escalate concerns about deterioration?

Notify the responsible clinician and activate the rapid-response or emergency system when criteria are met or serious concern exists. Do not wait for a score when immediate help is needed.