Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 100%

Which of the following actions should a phlebotomist take to prevent inpatient injury?

Rationale

Raise lowered bedrails following procedures.

Ensuring that bedrails are raised after procedures is essential for patient safety, as it helps prevent falls and injuries during a patient's recovery period. This action minimizes the risk of patients inadvertently rolling out of bed and sustaining harm.

A (Flush the IV after collection.) YOUR ANSWER

Flushing an IV after collection is a common practice to maintain patency and ensure proper medication delivery; however, it does not directly address patient safety in terms of preventing falls or injuries. This action focuses on IV maintenance rather than on safeguarding the patient from potential physical harm.

B (Move electrical equipment away from the bed.) YOUR ANSWER

While relocating electrical equipment can reduce the risk of electrical hazards, it is not a primary action aimed at preventing patient injury, especially in the context of falls. This measure may be necessary in specific situations but does not directly enhance patient safety in the most common scenarios encountered in patient care.

C (Pause the patient's IV pump.) YOUR ANSWER

Pausing the IV pump may be necessary during certain procedures or assessments, but it does not contribute to preventing patient injury. This action is more related to managing medication administration rather than directly reducing the risk of falls or other injuries that may occur after a procedure.

Conclusion

In a healthcare setting, ensuring patient safety is a paramount concern, particularly after medical procedures. Raising lowered bedrails serves as a direct intervention to protect patients from falling out of bed and sustaining injuries. While other actions may be relevant in different contexts, they do not specifically target the prevention of inpatient injury as effectively as ensuring bedrails are secured. This practice is crucial in fostering a safe environment for patient recovery.

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