Module 4: Patient Safety, Body Mechanics & Mobility

Hours: 4 Didactic | 9 Lab

Learning Objectives: Apply ergonomic transfer techniques, operate mechanical assist devices, implement fall reduction, and prevent pressure injury.

Core Procedures:

4.1 Applying Restraints: Securing authorized physical restraint devices to prevent patient self-harm or dislodgement of life-sustaining tubes.

4.2 Transferring From  Bed to Stretcher: Moving a patient horizontally between a bed and stretcher using friction-reducing slide boards.

4.3 Using Hydraulic Lift: Operating a mechanical sling lift to safely transfer non-weight-bearing patients between surfaces.

4.4 Using Sequential Compression Device (SCD): Applying inflatable leg sleeves to promote venous blood return and prevent deep vein thrombosis.

4.5 Alternative Restraints: Implementing environmental modifications and safety strategies to prevent harm without physical restraint.

4.6 Assisting with Moving and Positioning the Patient: Realigning or turning a bedbound patient to maintain alignment and prevent pressure injuries.

4.7 Assisting with Ambulation Using a Gait Belt: Supporting unsteady or weak patients during walking to maintain balance and prevent falls.

4.8 Logrolling a Patient: Turning a patient as a single unit while maintaining rigid anatomical alignment of the head, neck, and spine.

4.9 Performing Passive Range of Motion (PROM) Exercises: Moving joints through their full physiological range without patient exertion to maintain flexibility and prevent contractures.

4.10 Assisting a Falling Patient: Using a safe stance to control a patient’s descent to the floor during syncopal or weakness episodes.

4.11 Transferring the Person to a Chair or Wheelchair: Utilizing proper caregiver body mechanics and transfer safety protocols to move weight-bearing or partial-weight-bearing patients between beds and seating.

4.12 Moving the Person Up in Bed: Repositioning a patient toward the head of the bed using friction-reducing slide sheets or multi-person ergonomics to prevent shear and skin breakdown.

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Module 5: Medication Safety, Preparation & Administration

Hours: 6 Didactic | 12 Lab

Learning Objectives: Demonstrate strict adherence to medication administration rights, dosage calculations, parenteral injection routes, and error mitigation.

Core Procedures:

5.1 Administering Ear Drops: Instilling prescribed liquid medication into the external ear canal using proper pinna alignment.

5.2 Administering Intradermal Injection: Injecting a small dose into the dermal skin layer at a 5–15° angle to create a skin wheal.

5.3 Applying Topical Medications: Spreading creams, ointments, or transdermal patches onto clean skin for local or systemic absorption.

5.4 Administering Subcutaneous Injection: Injecting medication into adipose tissue below the dermis at a 45° or 90° angle.

5.5 Preparing Injections From a Vial: Withdrawing liquid or reconstituted powder medication from a sealed glass or plastic vial.

5.6 Preparing and Administering Insulin: Calculating, drawing up, and subcutaneously injecting insulin using specialized insulin unit syringes.

5.7 Preventing Medication Errors: Cross-checking medication labels against the MAR using the “Rights” of medication administration.

5.8 Preparing Injections from an Ampoule: Snapping a glass ampoule neck and aspirating medication using a filter needle to trap glass particles.

5.9 Administering Oral Medications: Verifying swallow capability, crushing or splitting allowed oral formulations, and measuring liquid doses at eye level.

5.10 Administering Ophthalmic Drops and Ointments: Instilling drops or applying a thin ribbon of ointment into the lower conjunctival sac without touching the ocular surface.

5.11 Administering Intramuscular (IM) Injections: Identifying ventrogluteal, deltoid, or vastus lateralis landmarks and using the Z-track technique to minimize tissue irritation.

5.12 Administering Inhaled Medications (MDI & Nebulizers): Operating metered-dose inhalers with spacers and compressor-driven nebulizers to deliver aerosolized bronchodilators.

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Module 6: Respiratory Care & Airway Management

Hours: 4 Didactic | 8 Lab

Learning Objectives: Maintain upper airway clearance, perform tracheostomy care, administer oxygen therapy, and promote pulmonary expansion.

Core Procedures:

6.1 Performing Oropharyngeal Suctioning: Clearing secretions from the mouth and pharynx using a Yankauer suction tip to clear the airway.

6.2 Performing Nasotracheal Suctioning: Inserting a suction catheter through the nose into the trachea to clear deep pulmonary secretions.

6.3 Collecting a Sputum Specimen: Obtaining expectorated deep-lung mucus into a sterile container for microbiological culture.

6.4 Providing Tracheostomy Care: Cleansing the stoma, changing tracheostomy ties, and cleaning or replacing the inner cannula.

6.5 Administering Low-Flow Oxygen Therapy: Setting up oxygen sources, flow meters, humidifiers, and applying nasal cannulas or simple face masks at prescribed rates.

6.6 Coaching Incentive Spirometry: Guiding patients through sustained maximal inspiration exercises to promote alveolar expansion and prevent post-operative atelectasis.

6.7 Assisting with Deep Breathing and Coughing Exercises: Guiding post-operative or immobile patients through voluntary pulmonary expansion routines to mobilize pulmonary secretions and prevent atelectasis.