A Comprehensive Guide to Hospital Procedures, Common Illnesses, and Patient Care

1) What are the vital signs?

- Blood pressure (BP), Temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, saturation of oxygen

2) What different patient charts are there? What do nurses document on them?

- Observation charts: Nurses document the patient's vital signs.
- Fluid balance chart: To document input/output of liquids/fluids.
- Drugs chart: To document the drugs given/administered to the patient.

3) Name different types of trolleys.

- Drugs trolley
- Dressings trolley
- Crash trolley

4) What happens when a patient is on a waiting list and a hospital bed becomes vacant?

The patient is contacted and told when to report to the hospital for admission.

5) Can all illnesses be treated at home?

No, not all illnesses can be treated at home. Some need hospitalization, treatment, or surgery.

6) What's the difference between an arranged admission and an emergency admission?

An arranged admission is scheduled in advance, while an emergency admission is unplanned and due to an accident or a sudden illness.

7) Can you name some illnesses that can be treated at home?

- Cold
- Flu
- Stomach upsets
- Migraine/Headache
- Urinary infections

8) Can you name illnesses which must be treated in the hospital?

- Renal failure
- Myocardial infarction
- Pneumothorax
- Appendicitis
- Stroke
- Ebola
- Compound fracture
- Pancreatitis

9) Which investigations or tests are carried out in the outpatient clinic?

- Blood test
- Urine test
- Stools test
- MRI
- CAT scans
- Echocardiograms
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
- ECG

10) Which preparations do you think are necessary in the ward before a patient is sent up?

The patient may need oxygen, an IV drip, a cardiac monitor, a medication pump, to be isolated, to be placed close to the nurse's station, etc.

11) What is the NMC?

NMC stands for Nursing and Midwifery Council, a regulatory body with the code of conduct for nurses and midwives.

12) Synonyms of abdomen?

- Tummy
- Belly
- Stomach
- Gut

13) What is the meaning of G.P.?

General Practitioner

14) What is sepsis?

It's a severe infection in which the bloodstream is overwhelmed.

15) What is a hospice?

It's a type of care focused on the palliation of terminally ill, chronically ill, or seriously ill patients' pain and symptoms, attending to their emotional and spiritual needs.

16) How could you respond to show sympathy and that you are listening to your patient?

- "I understand how you're feeling."
- "This must be a difficult time for you."
- "I'm here to listen if you need to talk."

17) Can you think of any other ways to reassure patients?

- "You are doing very well."
- "We are almost finished."
- "I'll be as quick as possible."

18) How would you reassure a child?

- "I'm proud of you."
- "You're a brave soldier."
- "I've been told you're brave."