Final answer:
Water quality checks prior to each patient shift should include testing for pathogens, chemical contaminants, and pharmaceuticals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prior to each patient shift, it is essential to perform water quality checks for various substances. Some of the substances that need to be checked include:
- Pathogens: These are disease-causing microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can be present in water and pose a health risk to patients.
- Chemical contaminants: These include substances such as mercury, lead, arsenic, and other toxic chemicals that can leach into water sources and contaminate it.
- Pharmaceuticals: Trace amounts of pharmaceuticals can be found in treated wastewater that may infiltrate into water sources. These pharmaceuticals can also pose a health risk if present in drinking water.