Level 1Cardiology Office Skills

Procedure Prep Basics

Support general pre-procedure preparation — instructions, transportation, and confirming understanding.

Beginner~11 min

Learning Objectives

1.Support patients through general procedure preparation.
2.Confirm transportation, NPO, and instruction understanding.
3.Escalate prep questions beyond your scope.

Goal

For caths, ablations, and device procedures, good prep support prevents cancellations and complications — even though the clinical decisions are the provider’s.

What to confirm

•NPO instructions per protocol.
•A driver/ride for sedation procedures.
•Bring a current medication list; med holds are provider/protocol-driven.
•Arrival time and location; allergies including contrast.

What NOT to do independently

•Don’t tell patients which meds to hold (especially anticoagulants) — confirm with the provider/protocol and relay.

Scope note

Medication holds and clinical clearance are provider/protocol decisions; you support logistics and communicate the confirmed plan.

Red flags / things to flag

•No ride for a sedation procedure, unresolved anticoagulation question, contrast allergy, or new symptoms — flag to the nurse/provider.

Alert

Unresolved holds, allergies, or new symptoms before a procedure go to the nurse/provider before the day of.

Example script

•"You’ll need a driver and nothing to eat after ___. Bring your medication list — the provider will confirm which to hold."

Documentation tips

•Note instructions reviewed, transportation confirmed, allergies, and teach-back.

Checklist

Confirmed NPO and arrival details.
Verified a driver for sedation.
Relayed (not decided) med holds.
Flagged allergies/new symptoms.

Knowledge Check Quiz

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not replace clinical judgment, and is not a substitute for institutional protocols or certified medical interpreters. No patient health information (PHI) should be entered into this application.