What safety hazards should be checked before each patient and at the end of the day?

• A. The color of walls
• B. The patient’s preferred language
• C. Unsafe conditions for self and others including frayed cords and any spill
• D. The brand of equipment

Answer: (C)

Ensuring a safe environment means actively looking for hazards that could harm patients or staff before each patient encounter and again at the end of the day. The focus is on conditions that could cause injury or affect care, such as frayed or damaged electrical cords, any spills or wet floors, clutter in walkways, or broken or improperly stored equipment. Addressing these hazards prevents electrical shocks, fires, slips, and trips, and keeps equipment ready and safe for the next shift. Other details like wall color or a patient’s language preference don’t impact safety hazards in the care area, and the brand of equipment isn’t what you’re assessing in a safety check—the condition and safety of the environment and devices are.