Nursing Documentation – Flashcards

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Why is proper nursing documentation important?
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Because it creates a legal record of all patient interactions, it promotes effective communication, and provides a record of the quality of care provided to the patient.
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Define Documentation
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The written or typed legal record of all pertinent interactions with the patient
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What is the purpose of creating patient records?
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1. Communication (between disciplines, ie doctors, other nurses, PT, OT etc) 2. Maintain diagnostic and therapeutic orders 3. Care planning 4. Quality review to ensure standards of care being followed 5. Research 6. Education 7. Legal documentation 8. Reimbursement 9. Provide a record of the medical Hx
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Define how proper documentation should appear in the record
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The content in the record should be complete, accurate, concise, current and factual
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What information should be included in the patients chart?
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Document what you see, hear, feel, smell, measure, and count
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What information should not be documented in the patients chart?
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Do not document what you suppose, infer, conclude, or assume.
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Name three words that should not be used when charting
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1. good 2. average 3. normal
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What should be included in a patient's chart to ensure accuracy?
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1. Exact descriptions 2. Nursing interventions and the patients response 3. Charting of decimal points correctly 4. Charting correct information, use the patients own words when possible 5. Do not stereotype or use derogatory terms
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When assessing or visiting a patient, what should be charted?
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Document all interactions; including medical visits and consultations
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When communicating with the provider, what information should be documented?
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The date, time, reason and response to any communication with the provider
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When would you chart information for another nurse?
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Never; you should never document for anyone else
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When recording time, should you use AM and PM or military time?
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Military time
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When do you chart medications?
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After they are given; if medications are not given document the reason why
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Can you chart nursing care or observations in advance?
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No, never document care or observations in advance. When you do perform nursing care and observe the patient always document the date and time of each entry.
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When do you chart patient interactions, assessments observations, medications etc.?
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Chart all of this information immediately when possible (exception: when precautions are in place) then document ASAP. Do not wait until the end of the shift to chart!
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Why do you not wait until the end of the shift to chart?
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Recalled information can be incorrect, confused, omitted etc.; resulting in documentation errors.
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What aspects are considered important when documenting?
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1. Verify the chart you are using is correct!! 2. Use the same format 3. Use proper grammar and spelling 4. Use standard terminology 5. Use only approved abbreviations 6. Written: use only hospital approved forms and black in only 7. Do not leave blank spaces; fill them in with a line or large X
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What is the purpose of nursing assessment documentation?
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To record the status/condition of a patient at a specific date and time.
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What is the purpose of documenting the nursing care plan?
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Generally these plans of care include nursing diagnoses, expected outcomes, and interventions.
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What is the purpose of nursing documentation in relation to progress notes?
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It allows for the documentation for the progress/status of the patient during the shift. Also provides a way to report care during the change of shift.
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What is the purpose of nursing documentation in relation to flow sheets?
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To provide a graphic record of weight, VS, I&O. Also contains the MAR and wound assessment information Flow sheets help team members quickly see patient trends over time and decrease time spent on writing narrative notes
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What is the purpose of nursing documentation in relation to medication administration?
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Medication administration should be documented only after the medication is given; if the medication is not give the reason should be documented.
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What is the purpose of nursing documentation in relation to administration records?
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The patient record is a valuable source of data for all members of the health care team. Its purposes include communication, legal documentation, financial billing, education, research, and auditing/monitoring.
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Describe the method for documenting nursing interventions
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Should be documented in conjunction with current condition and response/evaluation of treatment. Allows for the creation of individual care plans for patients.
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What is one key factor that ties to the reason all information is documented completely and accurately?
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Accountability of the nurse to the care of the patient.
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In written documentation, what should be included on each page?
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Include the client's name and ID on each page; sign and title each entry and place a full signature when required
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When a full signature is not required in written documentation, how can it be recorded?
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First initial, last name, title
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How is an addendum attached in written documentation?
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Addendum are not written in the margins; they are entered with a date time with "late entry" if needed.
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What are the 3 key points to remember when recording written documentation?
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1. They should be neat, legible and use proper spelling and language 2. Do not cover with tape or obliterate information 3. Do not use any form of correction fluid; correct according to hospital policy (single line, initial, time, date and reason)
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How should telephone orders be taken from the physician?
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1. Always repeat to verify accuracy 2. Must be cosigned within agency time frame 3. The order should be recorded on the pt. chart, include the date and time, T.O., full name and title of physician, sign with the nurses name and title.
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When is the use of verbal orders acceptable?
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In emergency situations only; must be signed by the MD or NP after the emergency
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What methods are used to document progress notes?
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PIE, SOAP and DAR
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What are the 4 types of reports given by nurses?
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1. Change of shift 2. Telephone/telemedicine reports 3. Transfer and discharge reports 4. Given to Family members/ significant others
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What are the 3 types of change of shift reports?
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1. Written 2. Face to face 3. Bedside rounds
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What is ISBARR
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Identify (self, patient) Situation (you are calling about) Background (diagnosis, date of admission, VS, mental status, IV, lab results) Assessment (what you think is going on) Recommendation (what you need from the physician) Read back
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Who do nurses confer with about care
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Specialists (for consultations), referrals (PT, OT, hospice, home health, social services)
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What is an incident report?
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A record of an accident or an unusual occurrence, they identify risks, not used for disciplinary action, not part of the patient record
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When are incident reports filled out?
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When a patient falls, a visitor falls or due to a medication error.
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What are the advantages of computerized records?
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Convenient, multiple specialties have access to it, can view it from office vs hospital, legible
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What are the disadvantages of computerized records?
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Can be seen by anyone, crashing computers
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What is the most important part of nursing documentation to consider?
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If it was not documented, it was never done.
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Define SOAP
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Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan; frequently used to document progress notes, has an origin in medical records
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Define SOAPIE
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Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan, Intervention and Evaluation
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Define PIE
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Problem, Intervention, Evaluation; a form of documenting progress notes, a narrative note, has an origin in nursing
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Define DAR
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Data, action, response; a form of focus charting
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