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52 Cards in this Set
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A client has tested positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after being swabbed on admission to the hospital. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is an example of: |
Survival adaptation
An example of adaptation for survival is the development of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, E. faecium, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Bacterial resistance is not demonstrated by aerobic activity. Spore production is another form of adaptation. Means of transmission is a component of the chain of infection, not an example of bacterial resistance. |
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A nursing student is donning sterile gloves to perform routine tracheostomy care for a client. Which behavior by the student would require immediate intervention from the instructor? |
reaches down to the bed to pick up a sterile drape
The sterile gloves should always stay above waist level. Reaching down to the bed could create contamination to the sterile field and the student should be stopped and asked to don sterile gloves again. Washing the hands for 20 seconds with soap and water meets the expectation of 15 seconds. Picking up the folded edge of the glove is the appropriate step to get the glove on while maintaining sterility. The glove must be stretched over the hand carefully. |
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The nurse has admitted a client on airborne precautions onto the medical-surgical unit. When the client asks, “When will these airborne precautions be removed?” what is the appropriate nursing response? |
“When your sputum culture is negative.”
The client will be on airborne precautions until a sputum culture is negative. The other answers are incorrect. |
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The nurse is removing gloves after responding to the call light of a client on airborne precautions. During glove removal, what action is most likely to result in contamination? |
The nurse should prevent contamination of the ungloved hand by ensuring there is no contact between the outside of the remaining glove. Grasping and peeling the glove off by the cuff is appropriate and minimizes the risk of contamination |
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The nurse is preparing to change a client's sterile dressing. Which action by the nurse would increase the risk for infection? |
applying a new dressing with the gloves that were used to remove the old dressing
Gloves should be changed after removing the old dressing prior to putting on a sterile dressing, because the microorganisms from the old dressing can be transferred to the new dressing. The nurse should explain the procedure to the client before beginning and not during. The nurse should avoid talking over a sterile field as well as turning his or her back on sterile field to discuss the procedure with the client. The nurse should check that the packages are intact, ensure that the surface is dry, and open all packages before donning sterile gloves.
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An acute medicine unit of a hospital currently has a number of clients who have tested positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which measures should the nursing staff prioritize in preventing the spread of MRSA to clients who are currently MRSA-negative? |
diligent handwashing practices
As with all forms of infection, thorough handwashing is the most important infection-control measure. It is inappropriate to reduce clients' length of stay based on their MRSA status, and prophylaxis is not normally used. It is unnecessary to wear gloves at all times on the unit. |
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The client presents to the Emergency Department reporting fever, chills, and a productive cough. The chest x-ray shows an area of infiltrate, and the primary care provider prescribes a broad spectrum antibiotic. Which client teaching statement from the nurse is most appropriate regarding the prescribed drug? |
“This antibiotic is the best choice since the causative organism is not known."
Broad spectrum antibiotics are appropriate when the client is symptomatic and the causative bacteria is not yet known. These agents produce the best chance of effectiveness. The side effects of all antibiotics are similar. The antibiotic can cause resistance when used excessively in the absence of infection. Pneumonia may or may not be caused by multiple organisms; however, this isn’t the best answer regarding the medication |
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The nurse is caring for a client with tuberculosis. The prior shift’s nurse has placed the client in droplet precautions. Which is the appropriate nursing action? |
change to airborne precautions |
Tuberculosis is transmitted via the air, so airborne precautions are required. The other answers are incorrect. |
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The nurse is receiving a confused client with a draining wound onto the medical-surgical unit. Which room assignment will the nurse make? |
into a private room
The client with confusion and a draining wound would, as would other clients on the unit, benefit most from a private room. The client cannot be expected to assist in maintaining appropriate hygiene or environmental control, so placement with another client who has a susceptible condition is not appropriate. |
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A client is admitted to the hospital with tuberculosis. Which statement by the nurse explains how to reduce the risk of transmission to others? |
“All visitors who enter the room must wear N95/surgical masks.”
Tuberculosis is an airborne respiratory disease, which requires a HEPA-style respirator or N95 mask when visitors or staff enter the room of a client with known or suspected disease. Gowning and gloving do not prevent airborne transmission. Visitors are permitted and there is no firm prohibition against touching the client. |
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A client is admitted to the hospital with tuberculosis. Which statement by the nurse explains how to reduce the risk of transmission to others? |
“All visitors who enter the room must wear N95/surgical masks.”
Tuberculosis is an airborne respiratory disease, which requires a HEPA-style respirator or N95 mask when visitors or staff enter the room of a client with known or suspected disease. Gowning and gloving do not prevent airborne transmission. Visitors are permitted and there is no firm prohibition against touching the client. |
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The nurse is preparing to help mobilize a client with an abdominal wound that is colonized by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which of the shown actions should the nurse perform before assisting the client? |
Gloves
Drug-resistant wounds normally require contact precautions. This necessitates the use of gloves and a gown but not a mask, goggles, or face shield. |
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The nurse is caring for a 27-year-old client who presents with possible signs of an infected abdominal wound. Which action should the nurse prioritize and initiate after receiving the results of the laboratory test indicating the client has methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection? |
contact
Any multidrug resistant organism requires contact precautions to help prevent the spread of the organism to others. This will include MRSA. Airborne precautions can be utilized with diseases in which the causative organism is passed through the air after the infected person has coughed, sneezed, or talked. Tuberculosis is an example. Droplet precautions are warranted when the disease is spread through large particle droplets such as rubella and mumps. Reverse isolation is used to protect the client from any new infectious organisms. This can be utilized for client's who may be immunocompromised or already have a serious infection and the nursing team is trying to prevent further infections from complicating the client's health. |
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A lead nurse is removing personal protective equipment after dressing the infected wounds of a client. Which is the priority nursing action? |
handwashing before leaving the client's room
The most important nursing action is to perform a thorough handwashing before leaving the client's room and before touching any other client, personnel, environmental surface, or client care items. Regardless of which garments they wear, nurses follow an orderly sequence for removing them. The procedure involves making contact between two contaminated surfaces or two clean surfaces. Nurses remove the garments that are most contaminated first, preserving the clean uniform underneath. |
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The patient has asked the nurse to explain her WBC level of 8,000 cells/mm3. The nurse would identify the level of WBCs as: |
within normal limits
A normal white blood cell count is 5,000 to 10,000 cells/mm3. |
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A nurse is caring for a client who is diagnosed with tuberculosis. Which nursing intervention promotes infection control based on nursing practice standards for safety? |
The nurse places the client in a private room with monitored negative air pressure.
When a client is diagnosed with tuberculosis it is important for the nurse to remember that the client should be placed in a private room with monitored negative air pressure. The client should not be placed in a room with the door open. The nurse must wear the appropriate respirator when caring for the client, but visitors must wear masks. Simply being 3 feet away will not keep the visitor from being exposed to the client. The nurse would use airborne precautions, not droplet precautions when caring for a client diagnosed with tuberculosis. |
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A nurse is caring for a client who is diagnosed with tuberculosis. Which nursing intervention promotes infection control based on nursing practice standards for safety? |
The nurse places the client in a private room with monitored negative air pressure.
When a client is diagnosed with tuberculosis it is important for the nurse to remember that the client should be placed in a private room with monitored negative air pressure. The client should not be placed in a room with the door open. The nurse must wear the appropriate respirator when caring for the client, but visitors must wear masks. Simply being 3 feet away will not keep the visitor from being exposed to the client. The nurse would use airborne precautions, not droplet precautions when caring for a client diagnosed with tuberculosis. |
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A nurse is caring for a 55-year-old postoperative client. The client returns to the ICU after surgery intubated and mechanically ventilated with a Salem sump nasogastric tube, a Foley catheter, and a PICC line in place. Based on the nurse’s knowledge of the most common hospital-acquired infections, which apparatus is most important to remove first? |
urinary catheter
Urinary catheters account for the highest percentage (26%) of hospital-associated infections. The four most common types of HAIs are related to invasive devices or surgical procedures: catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), surgical site infection (SSI), and ventilator-associated events (VAEs). A peripherally inserted catheter is an invasive line. Nasogastric tubes and endotracheal tubes are not associated with HAIs. |
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A family member with a mild upper respiratory infection comes to visit a client in a long-term care facility. The nurse takes the opportunity to teach the family member about preventing the spread of the cold. What response by the family member indicates that the nurse’s teaching was successful? |
“I will obtain a mask from the staff and wash my hands before touching my family member.”
Visitors with respiratory infections need to wear a mask until their symptoms have subsided. Reuse of a disposable mask is a risk for the spread of infection. Performing hand hygiene prior to family contact is a good practice at all times especially if the client is elderly or immune compromised. Coughing and sneezing into the bend of the elbow is better than contaminating the hands; however, a mask is the best protection during an active cold. Preventing or restricting visitation may adversely affect the client’s well-being.
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A family member with a mild upper respiratory infection comes to visit a client in a long-term care facility. The nurse takes the opportunity to teach the family member about preventing the spread of the cold. What response by the family member indicates that the nurse’s teaching was successful? |
“I will obtain a mask from the staff and wash my hands before touching my family member.”
Visitors with respiratory infections need to wear a mask until their symptoms have subsided. Reuse of a disposable mask is a risk for the spread of infection. Performing hand hygiene prior to family contact is a good practice at all times especially if the client is elderly or immune compromised. Coughing and sneezing into the bend of the elbow is better than contaminating the hands; however, a mask is the best protection during an active cold. Preventing or restricting visitation may adversely affect the client’s well-being.
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The nurse reminds the visitor of a client with an antibiotic-resistant infection that gloves are necessary. The visitor states, “I need to directly hold my loved one’s hand without a barrier.” What essential information does the nurse need to explain to the visitor to prevent transmission of the organism? |
The nurse reminds the visitor of a client with an antibiotic-resistant infection that gloves are necessary. The visitor states, “I need to directly hold my loved one’s hand without a barrier.” What essential information does the nurse need to explain to the visitor to prevent transmission of the organism?
Contact precautions, which are not optional, block transmission of pathogens by direct or indirect contact. Explaining that the loved-one understands is not teaching information. Educating the visitor about drug-resistant infections is important but does not explain how to prevent transmission of the infection. Telling the visitor that he or she will get the infection if the visitor does not wear gloves is incorrect, the visitor is at a greater risk of getting and spreading the infection. Wearing gloves decreases the chance of the contaminating organism to be spread to the visitors via hands or clothing |
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A family member with a mild upper respiratory infection comes to visit a client in a long-term care facility. The nurse takes the opportunity to teach the family member about preventing the spread of the cold. What response by the family member indicates that the nurse’s teaching was successful? |
“I will obtain a mask from the staff and wash my hands before touching my family member.”
Visitors with respiratory infections need to wear a mask until their symptoms have subsided. Reuse of a disposable mask is a risk for the spread of infection. Performing hand hygiene prior to family contact is a good practice at all times especially if the client is elderly or immune compromised. Coughing and sneezing into the bend of the elbow is better than contaminating the hands; however, a mask is the best protection during an active cold. Preventing or restricting visitation may adversely affect the client’s well-being.
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The nurse reminds the visitor of a client with an antibiotic-resistant infection that gloves are necessary. The visitor states, “I need to directly hold my loved one’s hand without a barrier.” What essential information does the nurse need to explain to the visitor to prevent transmission of the organism? |
The nurse reminds the visitor of a client with an antibiotic-resistant infection that gloves are necessary. The visitor states, “I need to directly hold my loved one’s hand without a barrier.” What essential information does the nurse need to explain to the visitor to prevent transmission of the organism?
Contact precautions, which are not optional, block transmission of pathogens by direct or indirect contact. Explaining that the loved-one understands is not teaching information. Educating the visitor about drug-resistant infections is important but does not explain how to prevent transmission of the infection. Telling the visitor that he or she will get the infection if the visitor does not wear gloves is incorrect, the visitor is at a greater risk of getting and spreading the infection. Wearing gloves decreases the chance of the contaminating organism to be spread to the visitors via hands or clothing |
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To eliminate needlesticks as potential hazards to nurses, the nurse should: |
immediately deposit uncapped needles into a puncture-proof plastic container.
Explanation:
All uncapped needles should be placed in a puncture-proof plastic unit immediately after use. |
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The nurse is caring for a client who has active tuberculosis and is under airborne precautions. The health care provider prescribes a computed tomography (CT) examination of the chest. Which action by the nurse is appropriate? |
Place a surgical mask on the client and transport to the CT department at the specified time
Transport clients in airborne precautions out of the room only when necessary and place a surgical mask on the client if possible. Use airborne precautions for patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by the airborne route (e.g., tuberculosis, measles, chickenpox, disseminated herpes zoster). The nurse should not question the need for the examination or request that the examination be done at the bedside. It is not necessary to notify the CT department and allow for all patients and staff to be removed from the area. |
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The client presents to the Emergency Department reporting fever, chills, and a productive cough. The chest x-ray shows an area of infiltrate, and the primary care provider prescribes a broad spectrum antibiotic. Which client teaching statement from the nurse is most appropriate regarding the prescribed drug? |
“This antibiotic is the best choice since the causative organism is not known."
Broad spectrum antibiotics are appropriate when the client is symptomatic and the causative bacteria is not yet known. These agents produce the best chance of effectiveness. The side effects of all antibiotics are similar. The antibiotic can cause resistance when used excessively in the absence of infection. Pneumonia may or may not be caused by multiple organisms; however, this isn’t the best answer regarding the medication.
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The nurse is inserting an indwelling catheter. What steps will the nurse distinguish as priority in preventing an infection? |
Create an area for sterile field and opening packages
Pathogens require a portal of entry to cause infection. Insertion of an indwelling urinary catheter is a sterile technique; any contamination could cause a portal of entry. Using water-soluble lubricant on catheter tip prior to insertion is correct but will not prevent an infection nor will closing the opening port. Likewise, washing the perineal area with soap and water will reduce microorganisms but will not prevent infection alone. |
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A client admitted for fever, crackles in the lungs, and cough asks the nurse, "If they do not know what type of bacteria caused my pneumonia, why are they giving me these antibiotics?" What is the appropriate response by the nurse? |
"We are giving you broad spectrum antibiotics because they are active for many types of bacteria."
Many bacteria are susceptible to broad-spectrum antibiotics and prior to the diagnosis of a specific bacteria, a broad-spectrum antibiotic will be prescribed to help eradicate the present bacteria until a culture result is returned. A client may be admitted to the hospital with pneumonia without receiving antibiotics, although it is likely that an antibiotic will be given at some point during hospitalization. Antibiotics do not boost the immune system and may destroy normal healthy flora. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, not viral infections; antibiotics do not kill viruses. |
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The nurse uses a small amount of sterile solution from a large, multiuse bottle to moisten gauze in a sterile field. What technique does the nurse use? |
Pour the liquid into a sterile container within the sterile field.
The solution container should be held outside the edge of the sterile field and poured steadily from a height of 4 to 6 inches into a sterile container previously added to the sterile field and positioned at the side of the sterile field. This assures minimal splashing, as moisture contaminates the sterile field, and maintains sterility of the bottle and solution. |
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The nurse uses a small amount of sterile solution from a large, multiuse bottle to moisten gauze in a sterile field. What technique does the nurse use? |
Pour the liquid into a sterile container within the sterile field.
The solution container should be held outside the edge of the sterile field and poured steadily from a height of 4 to 6 inches into a sterile container previously added to the sterile field and positioned at the side of the sterile field. This assures minimal splashing, as moisture contaminates the sterile field, and maintains sterility of the bottle and solution. |
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Which are the names of the transmission-based precautions defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)? Select all that apply. |
airborne precautions droplet precautions contact precautions
The CDC has three general precautions: contact, droplet, and airborne. Use contact precautions for clients with known or suspected infections that represent an increased risk for contact transmission. Use droplet precautions for clients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by respiratory droplets that are generated by a client who is coughing, sneezing, or talking. Use airborne precautions for clients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by the airborne route (e.g., tuberculosis, measles, chickenpox, disseminated herpes zoster). Respiratory, microbial, and body fluid precautions are embedded in the three precautions.
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After meeting with the family to give an update on the surgical client, the nurse shakes their hands before leaving. Which method of hand hygiene is most appropriate following this encounter? |
Alcohol-based hand rub
Alcohol-based hand rubs may be used if hands are not visibly soiled, or have not come in contact with blood or body fluids. They should be used before and after each client contact, or when in contact with surfaces in the client's environment. Indications for washing hands with soap and water include visibly dirty hands, hands visibly soiled with body fluids, or after using the toilet. Concomitant alcohol-based hand rub and soap and water use is not recommended. Surgical hand hygiene is reserved for sterile procedures. |
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An older adult client tells the nurse, "I do not understand why I have had so many episodes of infection lately." How should the nurse respond? |
"As we age, our immune system does not function as well."
The nurse should explain that during the aging process, the immune system decreases in function and the older adult client is at greater risk for becoming infected. Other risk factors for the older adult client include poor nutrition and fluid intake. Although washing hands is an important part of the prevention of infection, there are other methods such as airborne and droplet transmission that may be unavoidable. When it comes to visitation, the only limitation that should be set is that those who are ill or possibly infected should refrain from visiting the client. Informing the client that nothing can be done is not accurate, as there are preventative measures that may be taken to avoid exposure. |
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A nurse is preparing an operating room theatre for a surgical procedure. Which point regarding the principles of surgical asepsis should the nurse keep in mind when preparing sterilized surgical instruments? |
A commercially packaged surgical item is not considered sterile if past expiration date.
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An older adult client tells the nurse, "I do not understand why I have had so many episodes of infection lately." How should the nurse respond? |
"As we age, our immune system does not function as well."
The nurse should explain that during the aging process, the immune system decreases in function and the older adult client is at greater risk for becoming infected. Other risk factors for the older adult client include poor nutrition and fluid intake. Although washing hands is an important part of the prevention of infection, there are other methods such as airborne and droplet transmission that may be unavoidable. When it comes to visitation, the only limitation that should be set is that those who are ill or possibly infected should refrain from visiting the client. Informing the client that nothing can be done is not accurate, as there are preventative measures that may be taken to avoid exposure. |
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A nurse is preparing an operating room theatre for a surgical procedure. Which point regarding the principles of surgical asepsis should the nurse keep in mind when preparing sterilized surgical instruments? |
A commercially packaged surgical item is not considered sterile if past expiration date.
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A nurse is caring for a client with ringworm. Which microorganism causes ringworm in a client? |
Fungi
Ringworm is caused by a fungal infection. Fungi include yeasts and molds, which cause infections in the skin, mucous membranes, hair, and nails. Rickettsiae are microorganisms that resemble bacteria but cannot survive outside of another living species. They are responsible for Lyme disease. Protozoans are single-celled animals classified according to their ability to move. They do not cause ringworm. Helminths are infectious worms that may or may not be microscopic. They include roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes. |
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An older adult client tells the nurse, "I do not understand why I have had so many episodes of infection lately." How should the nurse respond? |
"As we age, our immune system does not function as well."
The nurse should explain that during the aging process, the immune system decreases in function and the older adult client is at greater risk for becoming infected. Other risk factors for the older adult client include poor nutrition and fluid intake. Although washing hands is an important part of the prevention of infection, there are other methods such as airborne and droplet transmission that may be unavoidable. When it comes to visitation, the only limitation that should be set is that those who are ill or possibly infected should refrain from visiting the client. Informing the client that nothing can be done is not accurate, as there are preventative measures that may be taken to avoid exposure. |
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A nurse is preparing an operating room theatre for a surgical procedure. Which point regarding the principles of surgical asepsis should the nurse keep in mind when preparing sterilized surgical instruments? |
A commercially packaged surgical item is not considered sterile if past expiration date.
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A nurse is caring for a client with ringworm. Which microorganism causes ringworm in a client? |
Fungi
Ringworm is caused by a fungal infection. Fungi include yeasts and molds, which cause infections in the skin, mucous membranes, hair, and nails. Rickettsiae are microorganisms that resemble bacteria but cannot survive outside of another living species. They are responsible for Lyme disease. Protozoans are single-celled animals classified according to their ability to move. They do not cause ringworm. Helminths are infectious worms that may or may not be microscopic. They include roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes. |
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An older adult client is admitted into the hospital due to pneumonia. Which transmission-based precautions should the nurse initiate? |
Standard
The nurse should implement standard precautions, as these precautions are appropriate for all hospitalized clients. There is no indication that additional precautions such as airborne, droplet, or contact precautions are needed at this time. |
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A student nurse is performing hand washing in the clinical setting. Which observation would require the nursing instructor to intervene? |
has manicured nails that are 1-in. (2.5-cm) long
Fingernails should be less than ¼-in. (0.625-cm) long, as this reduces the reservoir for flora to accumulate and decreases the chance of tearing or puncturing gloves. Washing hands for 15 seconds is appropriate. A flat wedding band is acceptable. Allowing the hands to drain lower than the wrist promotes gravity drainage. |
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Which care intervention should the nurse anticipate when providing care to a client admitted with a possible diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB)? |
wearing a particulate respirator for all care and interaction with this client
To prevent the transmission of TB, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends the use of a particulate air filter respirator that fits snugly to the face for all client care and interaction. A face mask does not block small TB particles effectively. Protective eyewear is only needed if contact with bodily fluids is expected. The client would be placed in a negative pressure room to prevent the potential spread of TB. |
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Which care intervention should the nurse anticipate when providing care to a client admitted with a possible diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB)? |
wearing a particulate respirator for all care and interaction with this client
To prevent the transmission of TB, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends the use of a particulate air filter respirator that fits snugly to the face for all client care and interaction. A face mask does not block small TB particles effectively. Protective eyewear is only needed if contact with bodily fluids is expected. The client would be placed in a negative pressure room to prevent the potential spread of TB. |
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The nurse reviews principles of infection prevention during yearly safety training. Which action(s) would the nurse use as an example of safe practice? Select all that apply. |
Donning gloves and gowns as a substitute for handwashing in some circumstances Sterilizing any item entering the vascular system
The nurse demonstrates the principles of infection prevention by donning gloves and gowns when they can substitute for handwashing (gloves can break or some liquids can penetrate gloves) and sterilizing any item entering the vascular system. The nurse should never recap needles (recapping can cause needlestick injury and pathogen spread). The nurse should wash hands with soap and water when C. difficile is a potential pathogen (alcohol-based rubs are ineffective against C. difficile). Artificial nails are not acceptable for health care workers in most areas (microorganisms tend to adhere to separated artificial nail surfaces). |
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Which care intervention should the nurse anticipate when providing care to a client admitted with a possible diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB)? |
wearing a particulate respirator for all care and interaction with this client
To prevent the transmission of TB, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends the use of a particulate air filter respirator that fits snugly to the face for all client care and interaction. A face mask does not block small TB particles effectively. Protective eyewear is only needed if contact with bodily fluids is expected. The client would be placed in a negative pressure room to prevent the potential spread of TB. |
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The nurse reviews principles of infection prevention during yearly safety training. Which action(s) would the nurse use as an example of safe practice? Select all that apply. |
Donning gloves and gowns as a substitute for handwashing in some circumstances Sterilizing any item entering the vascular system
The nurse demonstrates the principles of infection prevention by donning gloves and gowns when they can substitute for handwashing (gloves can break or some liquids can penetrate gloves) and sterilizing any item entering the vascular system. The nurse should never recap needles (recapping can cause needlestick injury and pathogen spread). The nurse should wash hands with soap and water when C. difficile is a potential pathogen (alcohol-based rubs are ineffective against C. difficile). Artificial nails are not acceptable for health care workers in most areas (microorganisms tend to adhere to separated artificial nail surfaces). |
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A nurse has collected the blood, urine, and stool specimens of a client with meningococcal meningitis. Which precaution should the nurse take when transporting the specimens? |
place the specimens into plastic biohazard bags
Specimens should be placed in sealed plastic bags to prevent them from becoming contaminated or causing the transmission of infective microorganisms. Paper bags are not used for this purpose, and it is not customary to swab the outsides of specimen containers. Standard precautions should be implemented, but this does not necessitate the use of a gown in all cases.
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Which care intervention should the nurse anticipate when providing care to a client admitted with a possible diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB)? |
wearing a particulate respirator for all care and interaction with this client
To prevent the transmission of TB, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends the use of a particulate air filter respirator that fits snugly to the face for all client care and interaction. A face mask does not block small TB particles effectively. Protective eyewear is only needed if contact with bodily fluids is expected. The client would be placed in a negative pressure room to prevent the potential spread of TB. |
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The nurse reviews principles of infection prevention during yearly safety training. Which action(s) would the nurse use as an example of safe practice? Select all that apply. |
Donning gloves and gowns as a substitute for handwashing in some circumstances Sterilizing any item entering the vascular system
The nurse demonstrates the principles of infection prevention by donning gloves and gowns when they can substitute for handwashing (gloves can break or some liquids can penetrate gloves) and sterilizing any item entering the vascular system. The nurse should never recap needles (recapping can cause needlestick injury and pathogen spread). The nurse should wash hands with soap and water when C. difficile is a potential pathogen (alcohol-based rubs are ineffective against C. difficile). Artificial nails are not acceptable for health care workers in most areas (microorganisms tend to adhere to separated artificial nail surfaces). |
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A nurse has collected the blood, urine, and stool specimens of a client with meningococcal meningitis. Which precaution should the nurse take when transporting the specimens? |
place the specimens into plastic biohazard bags
Specimens should be placed in sealed plastic bags to prevent them from becoming contaminated or causing the transmission of infective microorganisms. Paper bags are not used for this purpose, and it is not customary to swab the outsides of specimen containers. Standard precautions should be implemented, but this does not necessitate the use of a gown in all cases.
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The nurse is caring for assigned clients who are all stable. Which client should the nurse see first to minimize the spread of infection? |
the client who is 48-hours postsurgical procedure
Medical asepsis, also called clean technique, are practices that confine and reduce the number of microorganisms. To minimize the spread of infection between clients, the nurse should see clients from the "clean" to "dirty." The nurse should see the client who has no signs of infection first. Among these clients, the nurse should begin with the client who is postoperative, then see the other clients who have symptoms of infections. |
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