7
Safety and Body Mechanics
1. Define important words in this chapter
aspiration
the inhalation of food, fluid, or foreign material into the lungs.
atrophy
weakening or wasting of muscles.
body mechanics
the way the parts of the body work together when a person
moves.
chemical restraint
medications used to control a person’s behavior.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
1. Define important words in this chapter
combustion
the process of burning.
cyanosis
blue or pale skin and/or mucous membranes due to decreased
oxygen in the blood.
dysphagia
difficulty in swallowing.
flammable
easily ignited and capable of burning quickly.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
1. Define important words in this chapter
hoarding
collecting and putting things away in a guarded manner.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
sheet that provides information on the safe use of and hazards
of chemicals, as well as emergency steps to take in the event
chemicals are splashed, sprayed or ingested.
PASS
acronym for use of a fire extinguisher; stands for Pull-AimSqueeze-Sweep.
RACE
acronym for steps taken during a fire; stands for RemoveActivate-Contain-Extinguish.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
1. Define important words in this chapter
restraint
a physical or chemical way to restrict voluntary movement or
behavior.
restraint alternatives:
measures used instead of physical or chemical restraints.
restraint-free care
an environment in which restraints are not kept or used for any
reason.
scalds
burns caused by very hot liquids.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
1. Define important words in this chapter
slip knot
a quick-release knot used to tie restraints.
suffocation
the stoppage of breathing from a lack of oxygen or excess of
carbon dioxide in the body that may result in unconsciousness
or death; also known as asphyxia.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
2. List common accidents in facilities and ways to prevent them
There are many types of accidents that can occur in a facility. It
is very important that nursing assistants be proactive about
preventing accidents from occurring.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
2. List common accidents in facilities and ways to prevent them
Fall Prevention
Remember these guidelines for preventing falls:
• Identify residents who may be at risk and guard against
falls.
• Nurses should let you know which medications may cause
unsteadiness so you can be aware of residents who are
taking these medications.
• Respond to call lights promptly.
• Wipe up spills immediately.
• Remove clutter from walkways.
• Get help when moving residents.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
2. List common accidents in facilities and ways to prevent them
Fall Prevention
Guidelines for preventing falls (cont’d.):
• Lock bed wheels before giving care. Lock wheelchair wheels
before transferring residents into or out of them.
• Return side rails to ordered position, if used. Leave beds in
lowest position when finished with care.
• Make sure residents’ clothing fits properly.
• Use non-skid mats and rugs.
• Report loose hand rails immediately.
• Report damage of outdoor furniture, benches, and ramps.
• Clearly mark areas where floor is uneven.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
2. List common accidents in facilities and ways to prevent them
Fall Prevention
Guidelines for preventing falls (cont’d.):
• Keep call lights and other needed items within residents’
reach.
• Keep walkers and canes nearby.
• Do not move furniture without an order from the nurse.
• Offer trips to the bathroom often.
• Keep night light on in room if resident wishes.
• Make sure eyeglasses are within easy reach.
• Never try to catch or stop a falling resident. Use your body
to slide him to the floor.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
2. List common accidents in facilities and ways to prevent them
REMEMBER:
Most of the accidents in a facility are related to falls. Falls are
often caused by unsafe environments, loss of abilities, diseases,
muscle weakness, poor vision, or disorientation.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
2. List common accidents in facilities and ways to prevent them
Resident Identification
Remember these guidelines for identifying residents:
• Identify residents before providing care or serving food.
• Failure to identify residents can result in illness or even
death.
• Disoriented residents may have special bands with alarms
on them.
• Check resident’s ID and call resident by name.
• Check diet cards against resident’s identification.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
2. List common accidents in facilities and ways to prevent them
Define the following term:
scalds
burns caused by very hot liquids.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
2. List common accidents in facilities and ways to prevent them
Burn/Scald Prevention
Burns are very painful and can occur quickly. Elderly people and
those with loss of sensation are at greater risk for burns.
Remember these guidelines for preventing burns and scalds:
• Check water temperature before giving a resident a bath or
shower. Temperature should not be over 105°F.
• Check for proper temperature of warm water
applications.
• Use low setting on hair dryers.
• Let liquids cool before serving.
• Serve drinks when residents are seated.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
2. List common accidents in facilities and ways to prevent them
Burn/Scald Prevention
Guidelines for preventing burns and scalds (cont’d.):
• Tell residents before pouring or setting down hot drinks.
• Use lids on hot liquids.
• Pour hot liquids away from residents.
• Check plates that have been warmed.
• Make sure anything that has been in the sun has cooled
before use.
• Tell residents about smoking precautions.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
2. List common accidents in facilities and ways to prevent them
Define the following term:
hoarding
collecting and putting things away in a guarded manner.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
2. List common accidents in facilities and ways to prevent them
Poisoning Prevention
Remember these guidelines for poison prevention:
• Keep all items that may be poisonous away from
disoriented residents.
• Do not leave cleaning products in residents’ rooms.
• Check dates of foods to ensure that they are fresh.
• Check residents’ drawers for hoarded food that has spoiled.
• Make sure there is proper ventilation when chemical
products are used.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
2. List common accidents in facilities and ways to prevent them
Define the following terms:
dysphagia
difficulty in swallowing.
aspiration
the inhalation of food, fluid, or foreign material into the lungs.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
2. List common accidents in facilities and ways to prevent them
Choking Prevention
Remember these guidelines for choking prevention:
• Residents should be sitting up straight while eating.
• Assist with feeding slowly. Never rush a resident during a
meal.
• Cut food into small pieces.
• Report to nurse if you think a resident would be helped by
softer foods or thickened liquids.
• Make sure dentures are in place and fit properly.
• Be aware of residents’ swallowing problems.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
2. List common accidents in facilities and ways to prevent them
Cuts and Other Injuries
Remember these guidelines for preventing cuts, scrapes, and
other injuries:
• Do not leave sharp objects out.
• Approach doors slowly.
• When moving residents in wheelchairs, protect their arms,
legs, hands, and feet.
• Push wheelchairs forward.
• Wheelchairs should face forward in elevators.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
2. List common accidents in facilities and ways to prevent them
Remember these general safety guidelines:
• Do not run in a facility.
• Do not put your hand into a bed or anywhere else without
looking first.
• Ask for help when you need it.
• Watch combative residents closely.
• Follow facility policy if a skin splash or eye splash occurs.
• Report all injuries immediately.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
3. Explain the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Define the following term:
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
sheet that provides information on the safe use of and hazards
of chemicals, as well as emergency steps to take in the event
chemicals are splashed, sprayed, or ingested.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
3. Explain the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is
responsible for the safety of employees at work. OSHA requires
that all dangerous chemicals have a Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS). These sheets are placed where all staff can
access them.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
3. Explain the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Discussion:
Review a sample MSDS, or look at the one in the textbook on
page 110. Look for the places on the sheet where you will find
the following important information:
• Chemical ingredients of the product
• Dangers of the product
• Protective items to be worn
• How to use and clean up the chemical
• Emergency response if product is splashed onto skin or
ingested
• Safe handling procedures
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
4. Describe safety guidelines for sharps and biohazard containers
As you learned earlier, sharps and biohazard containers are the
containers that hold sharp objects and infectious waste.
Follow these safety guidelines when using sharps and biohazard
containers:
• Wear gloves when touching a sharps container.
• Keep hands above opening at top of container.
• Touch the bottom of the container only.
• Replace container when it is ¾ full or according to facility
policy.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
4. Describe safety guidelines for sharps and biohazard containers
Safety guidelines when using sharps and biohazard containers
(cont’d.):
• Remove gloves and wash hands after putting anything into
sharps container.
• Use biohazard container or bag for anything contaminated
with infectious waste except for sharps.
• Wear gloves when disposing of infectious waste.
• Remove gloves and wash hands after putting anything into
the biohazard container or bag.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
5. Explain the principles of body mechanics and apply them to
daily activities
Define the following term:
body mechanics
the way the parts of the body work together when a person
moves.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
5. Explain the principles of body mechanics and apply them to
daily activities
REMEMBER:
There are risks of injury on the job that you will face as a
nursing assistant. Using proper body mechanics will help prevent
injuries.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
5. Explain the principles of body mechanics and apply them to
daily activities
Good body mechanics help save energy and prevent injury and
muscle strain.
When muscles are used correctly to push and lift objects or
people, it reduces the risk of injury.
Basic principles of body mechanics will help keep you and your
residents safe.
7 Safety and Body Mechanics
Transparency 7-1: Body Alignment
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
5. Explain the principles of body mechanics and apply them to
daily activities
Be familiar with these terms associated with body mechanics:
• Alignment
• Base of support
• Center of gravity
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
5. Explain the principles of body mechanics and apply them to
daily activities
Alignment
Alignment is based on the word “line.” When you stand up
straight, a vertical line could be drawn right through the center of
your body and your center of gravity.
When the line is straight, the body is in alignment. Whether
standing, sitting, or lying down, try to have your body in
alignment.
Maintain correct body alignment when lifting or carrying an
object by keeping it close to your body. Point your feet and body
in the direction you are moving. Do not twist at the waist.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
5. Explain the principles of body mechanics and apply them to
daily activities
Base of Support
The base of support is the foundation that supports an object.
Something that has a wide base of support is more stable than
something with a narrow base of support.
The feet are the body’s base of support. Standing with your legs
shoulder-width apart gives a greater base of support. You will be
more stable than someone standing with his feet together.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
5. Explain the principles of body mechanics and apply them to
daily activities
Center of Gravity
The center of gravity in your body is the point where the most
weight is concentrated. When you stand, your weight is centered
in your pelvis. A low center of gravity gives a more stable base of
support.
Bending your knees when lifting an object lowers your pelvis. It
lowers your center of gravity. This gives you more stability and
makes you less likely to fall.
If you are moving or transferring a resident, the center of gravity
includes the resident. When you are transferring a resident,
the resident needs to be as close to your body as possible.
7 Safety and Body Mechanics
Transparency 7-2: Lifting Heavy Objects from the Floor
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
5. Explain the principles of body mechanics and apply them to
daily activities
Activities on the job that will require moving or lifting:
• Lifting a resident
• Picking up a bag of laundry
• Carrying residents’ luggage
• Taking heavy trash bags to appropriate site
• Cleaning a floor
• Moving a bed into another room
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
5. Explain the principles of body mechanics and apply them to
daily activities
Consider these guidelines when performing your daily activities in
order to use good body mechanics:
• Raise beds to safe working level.
• Stand close to object.
• Stand with a wide base of support.
• Push or slide objects rather than lifting.
• Use muscles of upper arms and upper thighs to lift.
• Bend at the knees instead of at the waist.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
5. Explain the principles of body mechanics and apply them to
daily activities
Guidelines for performing daily activities using good body
mechanics (cont’d.):
• Avoid twisting or choppy movements.
• Do not lift with one hand.
• Hold objects close to your body when lifting.
• Avoid bending and reaching.
• Get help when you need it.
• Talk to residents before moving them.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
6. Define two types of restraints and discuss problems associated
with restraints
Define the following terms:
restraint
a physical or chemical way to restrict voluntary movement or
behavior.
chemical restraint
medications used to control a person’s behavior.
suffocation
the stoppage of breathing from a lack of oxygen or excess of
carbon dioxide in the body that may result in unconsciousness
or death; also known as asphyxia.
atrophy
weakening or wasting of muscles.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
6. Define two types of restraints and discuss problems associated
with restraints
Common physical restraints are the vest restraint, belt
restraint, wrist/ankle restraint, and mitt restraint. Side rails and
special chairs, such as geriatric chairs, are also considered
physical restraints.
Restraint use has declined in facilities, and laws have been
passed restricting their use due to abuse by caregivers.
Overuse of chemical restraints was once a common problem.
In the past, residents were routinely restrained for different
reasons.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
6. Define two types of restraints and discuss problems associated
with restraints
REMEMBER:
Restraints may never be used without a doctor’s order.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
6. Define two types of restraints and discuss problems associated
with restraints
Potential negative effects of restraint use:
• Bruises and cuts
• Pressure ulcers
• Pneumonia
• Reduced blood circulation
• Risk of suffocation
• Stress on the heart
• Incontinence
• Constipation
• Muscle atrophy
• Loss of bone mass
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
6. Define two types of restraints and discuss problems associated
with restraints
Potential negative effects of restraint use (cont’d.):
• Poor appetite and malnutrition
• Depression
• Sleep disorders
• Loss of dignity
• Loss of independence
• Stress and anxiety
• Increased agitation
• Loss of self-esteem
• Severe injury
• Death
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
7. Define the terms “restraint free” and “restraint alternatives”
and list examples of restraint alternatives
Define the following terms:
restraint-free care
an environment in which restraints are not kept or used for any
reason.
restraint alternatives
measures used instead of physical or chemical restraints.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
7. Define the terms “restraint free” and “restraint alternatives”
and list examples of restraint alternatives
The use of restraints is being dramatically reduced in facilities.
State and federal agencies encourage facilities to take steps to
create restraint-free environments.
Restraint-free care means that restraints are not kept or used
for any reason. Creative ideas that help avoid the need for
restraints are being used instead. These creative ideas are called
restraint alternatives.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
7. Define the terms “restraint free” and “restraint alternatives”
and list examples of restraint alternatives
REMEMBER:
Studies have shown that restraints are not truly needed. People
tend to respond better to the use of creative ways to reduce
tension, pulling at tubes, wandering, and boredom.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
7. Define the terms “restraint free” and “restraint alternatives”
and list examples of restraint alternatives
Think about these questions:
How would it feel to be restrained? Can you think of your own
ideas about ways to avoid using restraints?
7 Safety and Body Mechanics
Handout 7-1: Restraint Alternatives
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Answer call lights immediately.
Improve lighting.
Use postural devices.
Add more exercise into the care plan.
Let confused residents wander in designated safe areas.
Give frequent help with toileting.
Encourage independence with all tasks.
Encourage participation in social activities.
Involve residents with hobbies.
Create activities for those who wander at night.
Offer reading materials, and read to the resident if needed.
Offer backrubs.
Increase visits and social interaction.
Increase the number of familiar caregivers.
Get the family involved.
Offer snacks or drinks.
Redirect interest.
Decrease the noise level.
Use soothing music.
Report complaints of pain immediately.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
8. Identify what must be done if a restraint is ordered
Define the following terms:
slip knot
a quick-release knot used to tie restraints.
cyanosis
blue or pale skin and/or mucous membranes due to decreased
oxygen in the blood.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
8. Identify what must be done if a restraint is ordered
Remember these guidelines for restraint use:
• Know state laws and facility rules regarding applying
restraints.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
• Use correct size and style of restraint.
• Always use a slip knot.
• Never tie restraint to side rails.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
8. Identify what must be done if a restraint is ordered
Guidelines for restraint use (cont’d.):
• Place hand in flat position between resident and restraint to
make sure it is not too tight.
• Apply vest or belt style restraint over clothing.
• Place call light within resident’s reach.
• Document appropriately.
7 Safety and Body Mechanics
Transparency 7-3: When a Resident is Restrained
• Residents in physical restraints require care at least every two
hours.
• The restraint must be released for at least 15 minutes.
• Provide help with elimination and related hygiene needs, food
and/or fluids, skin care, and range of motion exercises.
• Take vital signs.
• Offer comfort measures as needed.
• Report blue-tinged, gray, pale skin (cyanosis), or dark or purple
skin.
• Report redness or swelling.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
8. Identify what must be done if a restraint is ordered
REMEMBER:
It is your job and it is the law to do the things outlined on
Transparency 7-3 to promote the safety and comfort of a
resident who is restrained.
Applying a physical tie restraint safely
Equipment: correct size and
type of restraint
1.
Identify yourself by
name. Identify the
resident. Greet the
resident by name.
2.
Wash your hands.
3.
Explain procedure to the
resident. Speak clearly,
slowly, and directly.
Maintain face-to-face
contact whenever
possible.
4.
Provide for the resident’s
privacy with a curtain,
screen, or door.
Applying a physical tie restraint safely
5.
Apply the restraint
carefully. Follow
manufacturer’s
directions and facility
policy. For each type of
restraint, make sure that
it is not too tight.
CHEST or BELT-STYLE
RESTRAINTS: Make sure
you do not catch breasts
or skin in the restraints.
Double-check before
actually tying together
or attaching buckle.
VEST: The criss-cross in
the vest restraint must
be placed on the front of
the body.
Applying a physical tie restraint safely
MITT: Place a rolled-up
washcloth or commercial
hand roll in the mitt
restraint. This helps the
hand stay in proper
alignment and helps
prevent contractures
(permanent and painful
shortening of a muscle).
WRIST/ANKLE: Make
sure the restraint will not
slide off the wrist or
ankle.
Applying a physical tie restraint safely
6.
Use a slip knot to tie the
restraint. Make sure it is
not too tight. If restraint
is used on a resident
who is in bed, tie it to
the movable part of the
bed frame. Do not tie it
to the side rail.
7.
Make resident
comfortable.
8.
Leave call light within
resident’s reach.
9.
Wash your hands.
10. Be courteous and
respectful at all times.
Applying a physical tie restraint safely
11. Report any changes in
the resident to the
nurse. Document
procedure using facility
guidelines.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
9. List safety guidelines for oxygen use
Define the following terms:
combustion
the process of burning.
flammable
easily ignited and capable of burning quickly.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
9. List safety guidelines for oxygen use
• Oxygen is used by residents who have breathing problems.
• Oxygen use is prescribed by a doctor, and nursing assistants
do not turn off or adjust oxygen levels.
• Working with oxygen requires special safety precautions
because oxygen is a dangerous fire hazard.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
9. List safety guidelines for oxygen use
REMEMBER:
Nursing assistants do not turn off or adjust oxygen levels. This is
the nurse’s responsibility.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
9. List safety guidelines for oxygen use
Remember these guidelines for safety with oxygen:
• Post “No Smoking” and “Oxygen in Use” signs.
• Remove fire hazards from room.
• Remove flammable liquids from the area.
• Do not allow candles, lighters, or matches around oxygen.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
9. List safety guidelines for oxygen use
Guidelines for safety with oxygen (cont’d.):
• Check nasal area and ears for signs of irritation from
tubing.
• Make sure that the resident is not lying on the oxygen
tubing and that there are no kinks in it.
• Learn how to turn off oxygen in case of fire, if facility
allows.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
10. Identify safety guidelines for intravenous (IV) lines
“IV” is an abbreviation for “intravenous,” which means into a
vein. A resident with an IV is receiving medication, nutrition, or
fluids through a vein.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
10. Identify safety guidelines for intravenous (IV) lines
Think about this question:
Why should you always wear gloves when touching an IV area?
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
10. Identify safety guidelines for intravenous (IV) lines
Remember these things that a nursing assistant should not do
when caring for a resident with an IV:
• Take blood pressure on the arm with the IV
• Get the IV site wet
• Pull on or catch tubing in anything
• Leave tubing kinked
• Lower IV bag below IV site
• Touch the clamp
• Disconnect IV from pump or turn off alarm
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
10. Identify safety guidelines for intravenous (IV) lines
Be sure to report any of the following observations to the nurse:
• Needle or catheter has fallen out
• The armboard or handboard becomes loose
• Tubing is disconnected
• Blood appears in tubing
• IV fluid in bag or container is gone or almost gone
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
10. Identify safety guidelines for intravenous (IV) lines
Report any of the following observations to the nurse (cont’d.):
• IV fluid is dripping or leaking, or bag breaks
• IV pump is beeping
• Area around IV is wet, bleeding, swollen, red, or hot to the
touch
• Resident complains of pain or has difficulty breathing
• Resident pulls out or attempts to pull out IV
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
11. Discuss fire safety and explain the “RACE” and “PASS”
acronyms
REMEMBER:
Heat, fuel, and oxygen must all be present for a fire to occur.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
11. Discuss fire safety and explain the “RACE” and “PASS”
acronyms
There are many potential causes of a fire in facilities, including:
• Smoking
• Frayed or damaged electrical cords
• Electrical equipment in need of repair
• Overloaded electrical plugs
• Oxygen use
• Careless cooking
• Flammable liquids or rags with oils on them
• Stacks of newspapers or other clutter
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
11. Discuss fire safety and explain the “RACE” and “PASS”
acronyms
Think about this question:
Can you think of additional causes of fire within a facility and
ways to prevent them?
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
11. Discuss fire safety and explain the “RACE” and “PASS”
acronyms
Know these guidelines for fire prevention:
• Stay with a resident who is smoking.
• Check ashtrays for lit cigarettes or matches.
• Make sure that cigarettes or smoking materials do not fall in
an area where a fire may start.
• Make sure there are no hot ashes, matches, or cigarette butts
in an ashtray before emptying it.
• Report unsafe electrical equipment and cords
immediately.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
11. Discuss fire safety and explain the “RACE” and “PASS”
acronyms
Make sure you know the location of fire alarms in your facility.
Two acronyms will help you remember what to do.
The first is the RACE acronym, which outlines what to do in case
of a fire:
Remove residents from danger.
Activate alarm (or call 911).
Contain the fire by closing all doors and windows, if possible.
Extinguish the fire, or fire department will extinguish. Evacuate if
instructed to do so.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
11. Discuss fire safety and explain the “RACE” and “PASS”
acronyms
The second is the PASS acronym, which explains how to use a
fire extinguisher in case of fire. There will be many fire
extinguishers in every facility. Learn where they are located. In
case you need to use a fire extinguisher, do the following:
Pull the pin.
Aim at the base of the fire when spraying.
Squeeze the handle.
Sweep back and forth at the base of the fire.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
11. Discuss fire safety and explain the “RACE” and “PASS”
acronyms
Know these general procedures to follow in case of fire:
• Call for help.
• Know the location of the fire evacuation plan.
• Remain calm.
• Remove all persons in immediate area.
• Check closed doors for heat before opening them.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
11. Discuss fire safety and explain the “RACE” and “PASS”
acronyms
General procedures to follow in case of fire (cont’d.):
• Stay low in room to escape a fire.
• Use wet towels to block doorways.
• Cover face to reduce smoke inhalation.
• Stop, drop, and roll if clothing catches fire.
• Never get into an elevator during a fire.
• Turn off oxygen and electrical equipment, if facility policy
allows.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
12. List general safety steps to protect yourself and residents in a
facility
REMEMBER:
Living or working in a facility may sometimes put a person at risk
of crime. Many people go in and out of a facility during the day.
It is best to watch for any suspicious behavior. If you notice any
suspicious behavior, report it immediately.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
12. List general safety steps to protect yourself and residents in a
facility
Remember these guidelines for safety in a facility:
• Watch for and report any suspicious behavior.
• Keep valuables at home.
• Ask nurse to lock up residents’ valuables.
• If a visitor or staff member makes you uneasy, do not leave
the person alone with a resident.
• Follow guidelines for number of visitors allowed in residents’
rooms.
• Do not share confidential information with
anyone.
• Report any situation or person who makes you feel unsafe.
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
Exam
Multiple Choice. Choose the correct answer.
1. Most of the accidents in a facility are related to:
(A) Falls
(B) Burns
(C) Poisoning
(D) Choking
2. To prevent falls, a nursing assistant should:
(A) Clear walkways of clutter
(B) Keep lights low
(C) Have residents wear long pants
(D) Leave spills for housekeeping to clean
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
Exam (cont’d.)
3. One way to prevent burns and scalds is to:
(A) Check water temperature before giving a bath or shower
(B) Serve residents drinks while they are standing
(C) Leave warm water applications on for 30 minutes at a time
(D) Use higher settings on hair dryers so residents’ hair is not wet for too long
4. When should a nursing assistant identify a resident?
(A) After giving care
(B) When collecting meal trays
(C) When shifts change
(D) Before helping with feeding
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
Exam (cont’d.)
5. How should residents be positioned while they eat?
(A) Lying flat on their backs
(B) Reclining at a 45-degree angle
(C) Sitting as upright as possible
(D) Lying on their sides
6. What information does a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) contain?
(A) Costs of the chemical
(B) Comparisons with other chemicals
(C) Names of other facilities using the chemical
(D) Description of emergency response actions
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
Exam (cont’d.)
7. Which of the following needs to be disposed of in a biohazard container?
(A) Trash
(B) Food
(C) Aluminum cans
(D) Sharps
8. To maintain good body mechanics while lifting or carrying an object, a nursing
assistant should:
(A) Hold the object out and away from her body
(B) Face the object or person she is moving
(C) Twist at the waist as she picks up the object
(D) Try to keep her center of gravity as high as possible
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
Exam (cont’d.)
9. One way to use proper body mechanics on the job is to:
(A) Stand back from an object while lifting it
(B) Keep feet close together when lifting
(C) Use the muscles of the back to lift
(D) Bend at the knees to lift something
10. Restraints may be used:
(A) Whenever it is convenient for the facility staff
(B) When a resident is being uncooperative
(C) When there are not enough staff members to watch all the residents
(D) Only with a doctor’s order
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
Exam (cont’d.)
11. Which of the following statements is true of restraints?
(A) People tend to respond better to restraint alternatives than to restraints.
(B) Laws allow the use of restraints when a facility is short-staffed.
(C) Using restraints does not cause negative effects.
(D) Restraint-free care means a facility uses restraints only for disciplining
residents.
12. An example of a restraint alternative is:
(A) Tying the resident to the bed
(B) Removing the resident’s call light
(C) Locking the resident’s door from the outside
(D) Give frequent help with toileting
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
Exam (cont’d.)
13. Restraint-free care means that:
(A) Restraints are only used if a resident is in danger of hurting himself or others
(B) Restraints are only used with a doctor’s order
(C) Restraints are only used when restraint alternatives fail
(D) Restraints are not kept or used at the facility for any reason
14. At least every _____ hours, the restraints must be removed for at least
_____ minutes.
(A) 2, 5
(B) 2, 15
(C) 3, 5
(D) 3, 15
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
Exam (cont’d.)
15. Why does working with oxygen require special safety precautions?
(A) Oxygen can burn easily.
(B) Oxygen makes other things burn.
(C) The oxygen level must be adjusted often.
(D) Oxygen equipment is very fragile.
16. Which of the following is a flammable liquid?
(A) Water
(B) Sweat
(C) Nail polish remover
(D) Urine
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
Exam (cont’d.)
17. Which of the following guidelines is true of working around oxygen
equipment?
(A) Never allow open flames around oxygen.
(B) Nursing assistants should adjust oxygen levels.
(C) Electric razors are not considered a fire hazard.
(D) Smoking is allowed around oxygen if it is done about two feet away from the
oxygen tank.
18. When caring for residents who have IVs, a nursing assistant should:
(A) Keep the IV site dry
(B) Leave the tubing kinked
(C) Touch the clamp
(D) Lower the IV bag below the IV site
7
Safety and Body Mechanics
Exam (cont’d.)
19. RACE as a safety rule means:
(A) Run to A Close Exit
(B) Remove residents, Activate 911, Contain fire, Extinguish
(C) Residents Are to be Cared for Excellently
(D) Remove A Canister Extinguisher