CHAPTER 24-PREPU

Any microorganism capable of disrupting normal physiologic body processes is a:

pathogen. -Microorganisms that are capable of harming people are called pathogens or pathogenic.

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 special 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.

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 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.

A client suffers from bloody diarrhea after eating contaminated food at a local restaurant. The client has been infected with a(an):

bacteria. -Bacteria may be transmitted through air, food, water, soil, vectors, or sexual activity.

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.

Which should be documented by the nurse?

The fact that sterile technique was used for a given procedure - The fact that sterile technique was used for a given procedure should be documented, but the other items listed do not need to be documented, as they are standard procedure.

The nurse planning to insert an indwelling urinary catheter into a client should utilize which technique?

Surgical asepsis -Surgical asepsis, also known as sterile technique, is utilized to keep objects and areas free from microorganisms when performing surgery and procedures such as insertion of an indwelling urinary catheter or IV catheter. Medical asepsis reduces the number and transfer of pathogens. Universal precautions and contact precautions help to decrease the risk of transmitting infection.

A client has a diagnosis of HIV and has been admitted to the hospital with an opportunistic infection that originated with the client's normal flora. Why did this client most likely become ill from his resident microorganisms?

The client's immune system became further weakened -Unless the supporting host becomes weakened, normal flora remains controlled. If the host's defenses are weakened, as in cases of HIV/AIDS, even benign microorganisms can cause opportunistic infections. This phenomenon is not due to mutations, spore production or the direct effects of a nutritional deficit.

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.

The nurse performs hand hygiene using soap and water before and after providing client care. Which nursing action is performed correctly according to the procedure?

The nurse washes at least 1 in (2.5 cm) above the area of contamination if present. -The nurse must wash at last 1 in (2.5 cm) above the area of contamination to properly performed hand hygiene. The nurse should use warm to hot water to wash hands. The amount of liquid soap varies depending on the concentration of the soap. The nurse rinses with water flowing toward the fingertips.

The nurse is caring for a client who is to have a sterile dressing change to a wound. A student nurse enters the client's room and notices the nurse preparing the sterile field. After reviewing the image, which response by the student nurse to the nurse is the most accurate understanding of this procedure?

The sterile drape is to be positioned with the drape on work surface with the moisture-proof side down. It is important that only a sterile object touch another sterile object. Unsterile touching results in contamination of the sterile field. If this occurs, the procedure should be started again with new supplies. It is not okay to turn the drape on the other, non-waterproof side. This action will increase the risk for contamination.

The nurse is preparing to perform handwashing. Place the following steps in the correct order. Use all options.

Turn on the faucet and adjust water pressure Wet hands and wrists Apply soap Scrub for at least 20 seconds Rinse hands pat hands dry with towel turn faucet off with paper towel

The nurse is preparing to apply a prescription ointment to the client's wound. After reviewing the image, what is the most important step for the nurse to take?

Use a sterile cotton-tipped applicator to apply the prescription to the site - Applying the ointment with the gloved finger contaminates the prescription ointment. Sterile cotton-tipped applicators are used to apply ointments or solutions to the wound bed to avoid contaminating the wound. A 4 × 4 gauze pad should not be applied until the wound is cleansed properly with sterile supplies. Soiled dressing supplies should be placed in a biohazardous trash bag or container.

The nurse conducting a hand hygiene in-service determines that the participants need additional education when they state that the use of an alcohol-based hand rub is appropriate in which situation?

When hands are visibly soiled-this is inappropriate Alcohol-based hand rubs can be effective for decontaminating a health care worker's hands before and after direct contact with clients and after completion of a wound dressing, except when the health care worker's hands are visibly soiled.

The nurse is caring for a client with tuberculosis. Which precautions will the nurse select for this client?

airborne -Tuberculosis is transmitted via the air. Therefore, airborne precautions are required. Standard, droplet, and contact precautions will not be selected by the nurse for a client who has tuberculosis.

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.

The client is an employee on the medical unit at the local children's hospital. The nurse is an occupational health nurse educating the client on various routes of exposure. The nurse knows that as a hospital employee, the client is most susceptible to infection by what mode of transmission?

contact -Contact may be either direct or indirect.

The nurse is caring for a client with a draining abscess. Which precautions will the nurse begin?

contact -Fluids from a draining abscess can transmit infection through contact; therefore contact precautions are appropriate.

The nurse is admitting a client who has a draining wound that is contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus. What type of precautions should the nurse initiate for this client?

contact precautions -Contact precautions should always be used when coming into contact with contaminated body fluids. Gown and gloves should be worn and protective eyewear if splashing may occur. Droplet precautions are used there is a risk of transmitting pathogens within a 3-foot (1-meter) radius of the client when sneezing, coughing, etc. Neutropenic precautions are for the protection of the client due to immunosuppression. Airborne precautions should be instituted when exposure to microorganisms are transmitted by airborne route may occur.

To eliminate needlesticks as potential hazards to nurses, the nurse should:

immediately deposit uncapped needles into a puncture-proof plastic container. -All uncapped needles should be placed in a puncture-proof plastic unit immediately after use.

The nurse is caring for a client who became very ill after ingesting seafood. How will the nurse document this condition?

noncommunicable disease -A noncommunicable disease is caused by food or environmental toxin. Infectious disease, communicable disease, and contagious disease do not describe food poisoning.

A nurse is working with a 55-year-old woman diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This nurse has another client that day who has an upper respiratory infection. What is the most important thing the nurse can do to prevent the client with HIV from acquiring the upper respiratory infection?

perform hand hygiene before and after entering the client's room -Hand hygiene is the most important way to prevent transmission of infection.

The client is concerned about "catching the flu." What primary information can the nurse teach the client to best prevent the spread of infection?

Hand hygiene -Hand hygiene is the most effective way to control the spread of microorganisms. While it is true that the client may be less susceptible to illness when well rested, exposure to a pathogen can still result in influenza. Avoiding those with the flu is also appropriate; however, hand washing remains the best answer for prevention. Wearing a mask all season may or may not prevent the flu and is not the most reasonable choice.

The nurse is caring for a client admitted with tuberculosis (TB). What would be the best action by the nurse?

Apply a nonparticulate (N-95) respirator when entering the room. -TB is an airborne infection, and the nurse should wear a nonparticulate mask (N-95) respirator. Gown and gloves would be indicated for infections that are transmitted via direct contact. A mask with a face shield would be for infections that are transmitted via droplet. The client does not need to wear a mask during care.

The nurse is caring for a client who has been placed in strict isolation. Which nursing action is appropriate?

Remove fresh fruit from the room. -Fresh fruit and flowers can carry pathogens and chemicals to which the client should not be exposed. The number of visitors should be controlled to prevent exposure to multiple infection opportunities.

The nurse has admitted a client who is on isolation precautions and is now removing personal protective equipment. What action will best maintain the principles of infection control?

The nurse should turn the glove inside out and peel it off, to prevent contact with the contaminated outside surface of the glove. Similarly, the nurse should not touch the outside of the gown. Gloves should be peeled off, without tugging on the fingers.

The nurse has completed an intervention with a client. There is no visible soiling on the nurse's hands. Which technique is recommended by infection control practice standards for hand hygiene?

Decontaminate hands using an alcohol-based hand rub. -Alcohol-based hand rubs can be used if hands are not visibly soiled. If the hands are visibly soiled, the nurse should wash hands with soap and hot water. The nurse should wash their hands. The nurse does not need to wash their hands AND use an alcohol-based hand rub.

The nurse begins a task and then realizes that personal protective equipment (PPE) is needed. What is the correct action by the nurse?

Stop and obtain appropriate PPE. -The nurse should stop the task and obtain the appropriate protective wear. Protective equipment should be left outside of the room so that it can be donned prior to entering. Completing the task without the appropriate equipment can contaminate the nurse, which can lead to cross-contamination on the unit. Asking a colleague to finish the task is inappropriate.

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. -When preparing the operation theater for a surgical procedure, the nurse should remember that a commercially packaged surgical item is not considered sterile if it has passed its recommended expiration date. When a sterile item touches an item that is not sterile, then the sterile item is contaminated. If a sterile item touches another sterile item, it is not considered contaminated. A partially uncovered sterile package is considered contaminated.

A nurse has finished providing care for a client who is on contact precautions. When removing the protective gown, the nurse should take which action?

Avoid touching the outer surfaces of the gown.

The nurse must assign a room for a client admitted with endocarditis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the blood. A client with which diagnosis can share a room with this client?

MRSA in the wound -In many situations, clients with like infections can be placed together. The presence of similar causative microorganisms negates the risks of cross-contamination. Each of the other listed clients would encounter a risk for MRSA.

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. -

A client has a diagnosis of HIV and has been admitted to the hospital with an opportunistic infection that originated with the client's normal flora. Why did this client most likely become ill from his resident microorganisms?

The client's immune system has further weakened

Which client would require a negative flow room?

an 81-year-old man with active tuberculosis and a productive cough

For which client would the use of standard precautions alone be appropriate?

an incontinent client in a nursing home who has diarrhea -Standard precautions apply to blood and all body fluids, secretions, and excretions except sweat. Transmission-based precautions are used in addition to standard precautions for clients hospitalized with suspected infection by pathogens that can be transmitted by airborne, droplet, or contact routes, such as is the case in answers A, B, and D.

The nurse observes a colleague performing the action above while preparing to care for a client with bacterial meningitis. What is the nurse's most appropriate statement to the colleague?

"Don't forget to put on your gloves." -Bacterial meningitis is a diagnosis that requires droplet precautions. That is, nurses must wear a gown and gloves as well as a mask. In most cases, a surgical mask is sufficient and an N95 mask is not necessary. Goggles are not required.

A pediatric client's caregiver states, "I will never give my child vaccinations." What is the priority nursing response?

"Help me understand your thoughts about vaccinations." Seeking to understand the caregiver's perspective helps the nurse to collect assessment data and create a therapeutic relationship of trust. The nurse could then collect assessment data regarding past vaccines and provide appropriate teaching.

A client is diagnosed with hepatitis C. What statement made by the client indicates that further education is required regarding the transmission of the virus?

"I probably got the virus when I sat on the toilet seat in a dirty bathroom." -There are several ways for a client to either transmit the virus or to contract the virus including sharing needles, using unsterilized tattoo needles, and receiving blood transfusions prior to 1992. The virus cannot be contracted or spread through a toilet seat.

The nurse is donning a pair of sterile gloves. The nurse correctly dons the first glove, but inadvertently inserts the thumb and index finger into the thumb hole of the second glove. The glove remains intact. Which action is most appropriate?

Continue to don the glove, then use the other gloved hand to carefully insert the finger into the proper hole. -It is appropriate to adjust the gloves as long as the nurse only touches sterile surface to sterile surface. Leaving the thumb and finger in the thumb hole or only using the correctly gloved hand to perform the sterile procedure would not be appropriate, nor would donning a second pair of gloves, in this case.

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?

Putting gloves and gown on -Drug-resistant wounds normally require contact precautions. This necessitates the use of gloves and a gown but not a mask, goggles, or face shield.

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 grab sterile drape

A client comes to the emergency department reporting becoming very ill after consuming shrimp and lobster. How will the nurse document this condition?

A noncommunicable disease is caused by food or environmental toxin. Infectious disease, communicable disease, and contagious disease do not describe an illness that is contracted after eating food.

Which practice is a correct application of infection control practices?

A nurse performs hand washing each time the nurse removes a pair of gloves. -Hand washing should be performed each time the nurse removes of a pair of gloves. Gloves are not required for each and every client contact, and visibly soiled hands require a wash with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand rubs are not followed by rinsing of the hands.

The nurse applies an alcohol-based hand rub upon entering the client's room. The client becomes upset stating, "You did not wash your hands!" Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

"Alcohol-based hand rub provides the greatest reduction in microbial counts on the skin." -By explaining that alcohol-based hand rubs are effective in preventing the spread of microbes, the nurse directly addresses the client's concern. While washing with soap and water may not be necessary, it doesn't address the client's concern. Alcohol-based hand rub is an appropriate method for hand hygiene even when you plan to touch the client.

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 glove is an important barrier in preventing the transmission of your loved-one's antibiotic-resistant infection to you or other people you come in contact with."

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 glove is an important barrier in preventing the transmission of your loved-one's antibiotic-resistant infection to you or other people you come in contact with." 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.

Several family members are visiting a client with an antibiotic-resistant infection who has been placed on contact precautions. When the nurse teaches the visitors about wearing gloves and gowns, a family member states, "I don't want to wear those. I can't catch anything just by holding my loved one's hand." What is the best response to educate the family about infection transmission?

"These barriers help prevent the transmission of infection to you or other people." -Contact precautions block transmission of pathogens by direct or indirect contact Wearing a gown and gloves decreases the chance of the contaminating organism to be spread to the visitors via hands or clothing or even to others the visitors may come in contact with. While wearing gloves and gown may prevent sharing additional microorganisms with the client, that is not the reason for contact precautions. Agreeing that wearing the gown and gloves is not pleasant doesn't educate the family member.

A pregnant woman with a history of genital herpes infection who is near term asks the nurse why she must have a cesarean section when she has not had an outbreak in a "long time". The nurse responds:

"You may have infection in your birth canal that you are unaware of." -Viral diseases such as chickenpox or herpes simplex, acquired from the birth canal or from an infected sibling, can cause severe widespread disease.

Which client presents the most significant risk factors for the development of Clostridium difficile infection?

An 81-year-old client who has been receiving multiple antibiotics for the treatment of sepsis -Two common factors that increase a persons risk of becoming infected with C difficle are age greater than 65 and current or recent use of antibiotics. In this scenario, old age and recent, long-term antibiotic therapy are significant risk factors for C. difficile infection. These supersede the risks posed by recent HIV infection, skin grafts, and hemodialysis.

About which public health principle should the nurse educate clients to prevent the spread of West Nile virus?

Avoid contact with mosquitoes - Biologic vectors are living creatures that carry pathogens that transmit disease. West Nile virus is transmitted via mosquitoes, so the nurse should teach avoidance of mosquitoes to prevent the spread of West Nile virus. A hand sanitizer prevents the spread of a virus spread by contact with surfaces. Self-quarantine is not necessary to prevent the spread of West Nile virus; avoidance of mosquitos is the best way to accomplish this. Blood and body fluid precautions are used to prevent the spread of diseases spread through contact with these fluids. West Nile virus is not spread by airborne or droplet transmission so use of a face mask is not appropriate.

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.

The nurse will assess a client who has a draining abscess. The nurse should perform what action to safely enter the room?

Don gloves. -A draining abscess poses an infection control risk that is sufficiently addressed with contact precautions. Because there is no obvious risk of airborne or droplet transmission, masks, goggles, and face shields are not warranted.

Which nursing action carries the greatest likelihood of contributing to the spread of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)?

Emptying the Foley catheter bag of a client with VRE and then helping the client in the next bed transfer to a chair without washing hands between contact. -Direct client contact between a VRE-positive client and another client without handwashing carries a significant risk of infection, especially when contact includes body fluids. Handwashing is necessary before a procedure such as staple removal, but foregoing this infection control measure is less likely to spread VRE unless the nurse failed to handwash after the procedure. VRE does not normally require droplet or airborne precautions. Delivering an item to a client without gloves or a gown is less of a risk than failing to wash the hands after such contact.

A nurse has been exposed to urine while changing the linens of a client's bed. Which guideline is followed for performing hand hygiene after this client encounter?

Keep hands lower than elbows to allow water to flow toward fingertips. -Handwashing, as opposed to hand hygiene with an alcohol-based rub, is required when hands are exposed to body fluids. Jewelry should be removed, if possible, and secured in a safe place, but a plain wedding band may remain in place. Wet the hands and wrist area, and keep hands lower than elbows to allow water to flow toward fingertips and pat hands dry with a paper towel, beginning with the fingers and moving upward toward forearms.

Which mask should the nurse don when caring for a client with tuberculosis?

Filtered respirator -When caring for a client with tuberculosis, the nurse should don a filtered respirator mask to filter the inspired air. A surgical mask, also known as a procedure mask, is intended to be worn by health care professionals during surgery and during nursing to catch the bacteria shed in liquid droplets and aerosols from the wearer's mouth and nose. Low-efficiency particulate air (LEPA) masks are not used in health care.

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.

Following a demonstration to a family member on how to insert a straight catheter, the nurse instructs the family member to remove the gloves by inverting one glove into the other. Which step would the nurse instruct the family member to do next?

Perform hand hygiene -Inverting the gloves into each other encloses the soiled surface and blocks a potential exit route for microorganisms. After removing gloves, the next step would be to perform hand hygiene which should be conducted before touching the loved one. Used materials are not always disposed of in biohazard containers. Donning new gloves should not be necessary as materials should have already been disposed of prior to removing the gloves. Lotions that work in conjunction with soaps and lotions should be used when applying lotion after performing hand hygiene but this is not the next step.

The nurse is caring for a client with full-thickness (third-degree) burns. What aseptic intervention(s) would the nurse implement for this client when admitted to the general medical unit? Select all that apply.

Place the client in a private room with protective isolation. Instruct all staff, the client, and family members to practice strict and meticulous hand washing. Restrict visitors to family members who are not ill. -Clients with extensive burns are at high risk for infection. Such clients are placed in private rooms on protective isolation. To reduce the risk of infection, everyone practices strict and meticulous hand washing, including the client and his or her family. Visitors should be only family members who are not ill. Flowers, either in water or soil, are not permitted because soil harbors fungus and standing water supports the growth of microorganisms. All of these measures help to ensure that the client's environment stays as free from pathogens as possible, thereby decreasing the chance of infection. No fresh fruits or vegetables are allowed, only canned and cooked food.

Nurses working in bed management are assigning clients from the emergency room to semiprivate rooms. Clients with which two diagnoses are appropriate to room together, based on safety and infection control standards?

Reactive airway disease and exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) -Reactive airway disease and exacerbation of COPD are both medical diagnoses and not communicable conditions. Clients with these conditions can room together. C. difficile requires contact isolation and is contagious. Diabetic ketoacidosis is considered a medical diagnosis and requires standard precautions. A surgical incision from an appendectomy is considered clean. A draining leg ulcer can transmit an infection to a client with a clean surgical incision. In both of these cases, rooming these clients together violates infection control standards. Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions and pneumonia requires standard precautions. Based on the mode of transmission of tuberculosis, these clients cannot room together.

What is an accurate guideline for the use of PPE?

Replace gloves if they are visibly soiled. -If gloves become torn or heavily soiled, they should be removed and replaced. PPE should be put on before entering the client's room and glasses should not be substituted for protective eyewear. Work should progress from "clean" areas to "dirty" areas.

The nurse manager for a long-term facility notes an increase in infection rates among residents. Which would be the best to implement?

Review the current infection control protocols. -The nurse manager that notes an increase in infection rates should first review the current infection control protocols. Reviewing the protocols can identify if the protocols are appropriate and being implemented by the staff. Prescribing antibiotics to all new residents will not decrease infections rates, but may increase the rate of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Culturing all residents and staff would identify infection, but not decrease the rates. Restricting visitors would not decrease rates.

A client is to have an indwelling urinary catheter inserted. Which precaution is followed during this procedure?

Surgical asepsis technique -Surgical asepsis technique is the technique followed to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Surgical asepsis techniques, used regularly in the operating room, labor and delivery areas, and certain diagnostic testing areas, are also used by the nurse at the client's bedside. Procedures that involve the insertion of a urinary catheter, sterile dressing changes, or preparing an injectable medication are examples of surgical asepsis techniques. An object is considered sterile when all microorganisms, including pathogens and spores, have been destroyed. Medical asepsis, or clean technique, involves procedures and practices that reduce the number and transfer of pathogens. Medical asepsis procedures include performing hand hygiene and wearing gloves. Strict reverse isolation is an isolation technique where the client is protected from the nurse, other health care providers, and visitors. A client that has immune system disorders, in which the client might not be able to fight off an organism, would be kept in an environment to minimize exposure to the organism. Droplet precaution is a technique where appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn so as not to carry the organism via droplet from exposed client to others.

Which are the names of the transmission-based precautions defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)? Select all that apply.

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.

The nurse is caring for a client who is hospitalized and has an indwelling urethral catheter. Which finding would most likely indicate the client has developed an infection?

Urine culture is positive for vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). -Infections result from pathogens that produce illness after invading body tissues and organs. The client with the indwelling urethral catheter is at risk for developing an infection. The finding that would most likely indicate an infection would be a positive result. Nausea and vomiting, a fever, and dark yellow urine with sediment are possible signs of an infection, but each of these findings alone does not confirm an infection.

The nurse is preparing to insert an intravenous catheter into a client. Which infection control procedure will the nurse use to ensure safe client care?

Use a sterile intravenous catheter. -Any item entering sterile tissues or the vasculature must be sterile. Therefore, an IV catheter must be sterile. It should not be dipped in an antiseptic before use. A chemical used on lifeless objects is called a disinfectant, whereas one used on living objects is an antiseptic. The nurse would clean the IV site with an antiseptic, not a disinfectant, before insertion. An IV insertion does not require the nurse to wear a mask and gown.

The nurse has applied personal protective equipment (PPE) before caring for an immunocompromised client. When removing PPE, what action should the nurse perform?

When removing gloves, the nurse should do so by pulling on the cuff with two fingers, being careful not to touch the outside of the contaminated glove. The nurse should not touch the outside of the contaminated gown.

In which situation is an alcohol-based rub not the appropriate option for hand hygiene?

When the nurse's hands are visibly soiled -Alcohol-based handrubs 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. Handwashing is required before eating or after using the restroom.

Which personal protective equipment (PPE) should the nurse don to enter the room of a client who is diagnosed with Clostridium difficile?

gown and gloves -A client with Clostridium difficile requires contact isolation. Gown and gloves are the most appropriate options for this client; more so than goggles and gloves, respirator masks and gowns, and masks and shoe covers.

The nurse is preparing discharge instructions for a family member who will be caring for a client with an abdominal incision. Which concept should be the priority in the teaching plan?

hand washing -Hand washing technique is the single most important procedure in reducing the spread of microorganisms from either the client to the surroundings or the surroundings to the client. A client does not need to learn a sterile technique for the abdominal incision. Most client procedures are related to clean handing and do not need gloves to be added to a dressing change. The nurse should review signs of infection and healing of the abdominal incision.

Which nursing action is a component of medical asepsis?

handwashing after removing gloves -Medical asepsis (clean technique) involves procedures and practices that reduce the number and transfer of pathogens. Medical asepsis procedures include performing hand hygiene and wearing gloves. Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) includes practices used to render and keep objects and areas free from microorganisms (insertion of urinary catheter, placement of intravenous catheters or drawing blood).

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.

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.

The nurse observes an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) collecting a urine specimen from a client with Staphylococcus aureus infection. Which action by the UAP would require the nurse to intervene?

removes gloves and walks out of the room -The nurse should intervene if the UAP removes gloves and walks out the room without performing hand hygiene. Personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, gowns, masks, and googles, are used as barriers to prevent direct contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions. PPE is also used to protect clients from microorganisms transmitted by nursing personnel when performing procedures or care. Hand hygiene should be performed before and after wearing gloves and direct contact with clients. Asking the client to state his or her name and date of birth is important to make sure the specimen is collected with the correct laboratory label. To protect the UAP from direct contact with the urine, a face mask is indicated.

A client has an inguinal hernia repair and later develops a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. What is the most important factor to prevent this infection?

surgical asepsis -Clients are at risk for health care-associated infections when the health care staff does not follow safety guidelines. Medical and surgical asepsis are the primary safety interventions for preventing disease in the health care environment.

A nurse who is taking the vital signs of a client with acute diarrhea is ordered to attend to another client. What is the priority nursing action the nurse must perform before leaving the client's room?

thorough handwashing -Since the client has an infectious disease, the most important nursing action is to perform thorough handwashing before leaving the client's room and before touching any other client, personnel, environmental surface, or client care item. Spraying a disinfectant before leaving the client's room, or placing one bag of contaminated items in another, is not the most important nursing action in this case. Regardless of which garments they wear, nurses follow an orderly sequence for removing them. Nurses remove the personal protective equipment that is most contaminated first to preserve the clean uniform underneath.

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 client care and interaction -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.

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.