Chapter 36 1 
Chapter 36: Safety
Emmanuel is a new nurse graduate who has been hired by the local hospital to work in the ambulatory surgery centre. Emmanuel is required to attend the hospital orientation to learn about facility policies and procedures. Of particular importance are the protocols that surround patient safety.
Emmanuel completes the two-day classroom orientation and is assigned to a preceptor to follow in the ambulatory surgery centre for three weeks. This constitutes his “hands on” orientation, during which he will be able to care for patients under the guidance of his preceptor.
1. Emmanuel is caring for Mr. Natik, a 61-year-old male who has just had cataract surgery in his right eye. Emmanuel teaches Mr. Natik safety precautions, including preventing the risk of burns while cooking. A self-inflicted burn is referred to as a ________-____________ accident.
ANS: Patient-inherent
Patient-inherent accidents are accidents (other than falls) for which the patient is the primary cause. Examples include self-inflicted cuts and burns.
2. Emmanuel is reminded by his preceptor to be diligent in preventing procedure-related accidents. Which of the following is an example of a procedure-related accident? (Select all that apply.)
A. Medication administration error
B. Improper insertion of a urinary catheter
C. Application of an incorrect bandage to a wound
D. Incorrect transcription of a telephone order
ANS: A, B, C
Procedure-related accidents are caused by health care providers and include medication and fluid administration errors, improper application of external devices, and accidents related to improper performance of procedures such as dressing changes and or urinary catheter insertion. The incorrect transcription of a telephone order is a documentation accident.
3. The intravenous (IV) pump that Emmanuel is using on a patient malfunctions. The screen on the pump goes blank and cannot be reset. What should Emmanuel do with the pump?
A. Tag it and report
Emmanuel is a new nurse graduate who has been hired by the local hospital to work in the ambulatory surgery centre. Emmanuel is required to attend the hospital orientation to learn about facility policies and procedures. Of particular importance are the protocols that surround patient safety.
Emmanuel completes the two-day classroom orientation and is assigned to a preceptor to follow in the ambulatory surgery centre for three weeks. This constitutes his “hands on” orientation, during which he will be able to care for patients under the guidance of his preceptor.
1. Emmanuel is caring for Mr. Natik, a 61-year-old male who has just had cataract surgery in his right eye. Emmanuel teaches Mr. Natik safety precautions, including preventing the risk of burns while cooking. A self-inflicted burn is referred to as a ________-____________ accident.
ANS: Patient-inherent
Patient-inherent accidents are accidents (other than falls) for which the patient is the primary cause. Examples include self-inflicted cuts and burns.
2. Emmanuel is reminded by his preceptor to be diligent in preventing procedure-related accidents. Which of the following is an example of a procedure-related accident? (Select all that apply.)
A. Medication administration error
B. Improper insertion of a urinary catheter
C. Application of an incorrect bandage to a wound
D. Incorrect transcription of a telephone order
ANS: A, B, C
Procedure-related accidents are caused by health care providers and include medication and fluid administration errors, improper application of external devices, and accidents related to improper performance of procedures such as dressing changes and or urinary catheter insertion. The incorrect transcription of a telephone order is a documentation accident.
3. The intravenous (IV) pump that Emmanuel is using on a patient malfunctions. The screen on the pump goes blank and cannot be reset. What should Emmanuel do with the pump?
A. Tag it and report