NUR 101 Chapter 29, 40 quizz 1

39. The debilitated patient is resisting attempts by the nurse to provide oral hygiene. Which action will the nurse take next? a. Insert an oral airway. b. Place the patient in a flat, supine position. c. Use undiluted hydrogen peroxide as a cleaner. d. Quickly proceed while not talking to the patient.

ANS: A If the patient is uncooperative, or is having difficulty keeping the mouth open, insert an oral airway. Insert it upside down, and then turn the airway sideways and over the tongue to keep the teeth apart. Do not use force. Position the patient on his or her side or turn the head to allow for drainage. Placing the patient in a flat, supine position could lead to aspiration. Hydrogen peroxide is irritating to mucosa. Even though the patient is debilitated, explain the steps of mouth care and the sensations that he or she will feel. Also tell the patient when the procedure is completed.

31. The nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which patient will the nurse see first? a. A patient with Clostridium difficile in droplet precautions b. A patient with tuberculosis in airborne precautions c. A patient with MRSA infection in contact precautions d. A patient with a lung transplant in protective environment precautions

ANS: A A patient with Clostridium difficile should be on contact precautions, not droplet; therefore, the nurse will see this patient first to correct the precautions. All the rest are on correct precautions. Patients with tuberculosis belong in airborne precautions; patients with MRSA infection belong in contact precautions; and patients with lung transplants belong in protective environment precautions.

33. The surgical mask the perioperative nurse is wearing becomes moist. Which action will the perioperative nurse take next? a. Apply a new mask. b. Reapply the mask after it air-dries. c. Change the mask when relieved by next shift. d. Do not change the mask if the nurse is comfortable.

ANS: A After the mask is worn for several hours, it can become moist. The mask should be changed as soon as possible because moisture does not provide a barrier to microorganisms and is ineffective. Waiting to change the mask, air-drying it, or wearing it because it is comfortable does not support the principles of infection control.

12. The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone surgery for a broken leg and has a cast in place. What should the nurse do to prevent skin impairment? a. Assess surfaces exposed to the edges of the cast for pressure areas. b. Keep the patient's blood pressure low to prevent overperfusion of tissue. c. Do not allow turning in bed because that may lead to redislocation of the leg. d. Restrict the patient's dietary intake to reduce the number of times on the bedpan.

ANS: A Assess surfaces exposed to casts, cloth restraints, bandages and dressings, tubing, or orthopedic devices. An external device applied to or around the skin exerts pressure or friction on the skin, leading to skin impairment. When restricted from moving, dependent body parts are exposed to pressure that reduces circulation to affected tissues, promoting pressure ulcers. Patients with limited caloric and protein intake develop impaired or delayed wound healing. Keeping the blood pressure artificially low may decrease arterial blood supply, leading to ischemia and breakdown.

16. The patient is diagnosed with athlete's foot (tinea pedis). The patient says that he is relieved because it is only athlete's foot, and it can be treated easily. Which information should the nurse consider when formulating a response to the patient? a. Contagious with frequent recurrences b. Helpful to air-dry feet after bathing c. Treated with salicylic acid d. Caused by lice

ANS: A Athlete's foot spreads to other body parts, especially the hands. It is contagious and frequently recurs. Drying feet well after bathing and applying powder help prevent infection. It is caused by a fungus, not lice, and is treated with applications of griseofulvin, miconazole, or tolnaftate. Plantar wars are treated with salicylic acid or electrodesiccation.

25. A patient has scaling of the scalp. Which term will the nurse use to report this finding to the oncoming staff? a. Dandruff b. Alopecia c. Pediculosis d. Xerostomia

ANS: A Dandruff is scaling of the scalp that is accompanied by itching. Pediculosis (lice infestation) resides on scalp attached to hair strands; eggs look like oval particles, similar to dandruff. Alopecia is hair loss or balding. Xerostomia is dry mouth.

44. The patient is reporting an inability to clear nasal passages. Which action will the nurse take? a. Use gentle suction to prevent tissue damage. b. Instruct patient to blow nose forcefully to clear the passage. c. Place a dry washcloth under the nose to absorb secretions. d. Insert a cotton-tipped applicator to the back of the nose.

ANS: A Excessive nasal secretions can be removed using gentle suctioning. However, patients usually remove secretions from the nose by gentle blowing into a soft tissue. Caution the patient against harsh blowing that creates pressure capable of injuring the eardrum, the nasal mucosa, and even sensitive eye structures. If the patient is unable to remove nasal secretions, assist by using a wet washcloth or a cotton-tipped applicator moistened in water or saline. Never insert the applicator beyond the length of the cotton tip.

7. The nurse is bathing a patient and notices movement in the patient's hair. Which action will the nurse take? a. Use gloves to inspect the hair. b. Apply a lindane-based shampoo immediately. c. Shave the hair off of the patient's head. d. Ignore the movement and continue.

ANS: A In community health and home care settings, it is particularly important to inspect the hair for lice so appropriate hygienic treatment can be provided. If pediculosis capitis (head lice) is suspected, the nurse must protect self against self-infestations by handwashing and by using gloves or tongue blades to inspect the patient's hair. Suspicions cannot be ignored. Shaving hair off affected areas is the treatment for pediculosis pubis (crab lice) and is rarely used for head lice. Caution against use of products containing lindane because the ingredient is toxic and known to cause adverse reactions.

1. The nurse and a new nurse in orientation are caring for a patient with pneumonia. Which statement by the new nurse will indicate a correct understanding of this condition? a. "An infectious disease like pneumonia may not pose a risk to others." b. "We need to isolate the patient in a private negative-pressure room." c. "Clinical signs and symptoms are not present in pneumonia." d. "The patient will not be able to return home."

ANS: A Infections are infectious and/or communicable. Infectious diseases may not pose a risk for transmission to others, although they are serious for the patient. Pneumonia is not a communicable disease—a disease that is transmitted directly from one individual to the next, so there is no need for isolation. A private negative-air pressure room is used for tuberculosis, not pneumonia. Clinical signs and symptoms are present in pneumonia. Frequently, patients with pneumonia do return home unless there are extenuating circumstances.

17. When assessing a patient's feet, the nurse notices that the toenails are thick and separated from the nail bed. What does the nurse most likely suspect is the cause of this condition? a. Fungi b. Friction c. Nail polish d. Nail polish remover

ANS: A Inflammatory lesions and fungus of the nail bed cause thickened, horny nails that separate from the nail bed. Ask women whether they frequently polish their nails and use polish remover because chemicals in these products cause excessive nail dryness. Friction and pressure from ill-fitting or loose shoes causes keratosis (corns). It is seen mainly on or between toes, over bony prominences.

11. The nurse is caring for a patient who has diabetes mellitus and circulatory insufficiency, with peripheral neuropathy and urinary incontinence. On which areas does the nurse focus care? a. Decreased pain sensation and increased risk of skin impairment b. Decreased caloric intake and accelerated wound healing c. High risk for skin infection and low saliva pH level d. High risk for impaired venous return and dementia

ANS: A Patients with paralysis, circulatory insufficiency, or peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) are unable to sense an injury to the skin (decreased pain sensation). The presence of urinary incontinence, circulatory insufficiency, and neuropathy can combine to result in breakdown, so the patient has an increased risk of skin impairment. While the patient may have decreased caloric intake, the patient will not have accelerated wound healing with circulatory insufficiency, neuropathy, and incontinence. While the patient is at high risk for skin infection, the low salivary pH level is not an issue. While the patient may have a high risk for impaired venous return from the circulatory insufficiency, there is no indication the patient has dementia.

40. A nurse is providing oral care to a patient with stomatitis. Which technique will the nurse use? a. Avoid commercial mouthwashes. b. Avoid normal saline rinses. c. Brush with a hard toothbrush. d. Brush with an alcohol-based toothpaste.

ANS: A Stomatitis causes burning, pain, and change in food and fluid tolerance. Advise patients to avoid alcohol and commercial mouthwash and stop smoking. When caring for patients with stomatitis, brush with a soft toothbrush and floss gently to prevent bleeding of the gums. In some cases, flossing needs to be temporarily omitted from oral care. Normal saline rinses (approximately 30 mL) on awaking in the morning, after each meal, and at bedtime help clean the oral cavity.

29. The nurse on the surgical team and the surgeon have completed a surgery. After donning gloves, gathering instruments, and placing in the transport carrier, what is the next step in handling the instruments used during the procedure? a. Sending to central sterile for cleaning and sterilization b. Sending to central sterile for cleaning and disinfection c. Sending to central sterile for cleaning and boiling d. Sending to central sterile for cleaning

ANS: A Surgical instruments need to be cleaned and sterilized. Disinfecting, boiling, or cleaning is not utilized on critical items that will be reused on patients in the hospital environment. Items that are used on sterile tissue or in the vascular system present a high risk of infection if they become contaminated with bacteria.

15. A patient presents with pneumonia. Which priority intervention should be included in the plan of care for this patient? a. Observe the patient for decreased activity tolerance. b. Assume the patient is in pain and treat accordingly. c. Provide the patient ice chips as requested. d. Maintain the room temperature at 65° F.

ANS: A Systemic infection, like pneumonia, causes more generalized symptoms than local infection. This type of infection can result in fever, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and malaise; be alert for changes in the patient's level of activity and responsiveness. Nurses do not assume but assess and communicate with the patient about pain. While providing the patient with ice chips may be appropriate, it is not a priority and there is no reason for the patient to be limited to ice. Maintaining the room temperature at 65° F is too cold.

27. The nurse is caring for a patient who becomes nauseated and vomits without warning. The nurse has contaminated hands. Which action is best for the nurse to take next? a. Wash hands with an antimicrobial soap and water. b. Clean hands with wipes from the bedside table. c. Use an alcohol-based waterless hand gel. d. Wipe hands with a dry paper towel.

ANS: A The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that when hands are visibly soiled, one should wash with a non-antimicrobial soap or with antimicrobial soap. Cleaning hands with wipes or using waterless hand gel does not meet this standard. If hands are not visibly soiled, use an alcohol-based waterless antiseptic agent for routinely decontaminating hands. Wiping hands with a dry paper towel will occur after the nurse has washed both hands.

26. The nurse is caring for a patient in the hospital. The nurse observes the nursing assistive personnel (NAP) turning off the handle faucet with bare hands. Which professional practice principle supports the need for follow-up with the NAP? a. The nurse is responsible for providing a safe environment for the patient. b. Different scopes of practice allow modification of procedures. c. Allowing the water to run is a waste of resources and money. d. This is a key step in the procedure for washing hands.

ANS: A The nurse is responsible for providing a safe environment for the patient. The effectiveness of infection control practices depends on conscientiousness and consistency in using effective aseptic technique by all health care providers. After washing hands, turn off a handle faucet with a dry paper towel, and avoid touching the handles with your hands to assist in preventing the transfer of microorganisms. Wet towels and hands allow the transfer of pathogens from faucet to hands. The principles and procedures for washing hands are universal and apply to all members of health care teams. Being resourceful and aware of the cost of health care is important, but taking shortcuts that may endanger an individual's health is not a prudent practice.

21. The nurse is dressed and is preparing to care for a patient in the perioperative area. The nurse has scrubbed hands and has donned a sterile gown and gloves. Which action will indicate a break in sterile technique? a. Touching clean protective eyewear b. Standing with hands above waist area c. Accepting sterile supplies from the surgeon d. Staying with the sterile table once it is open

ANS: A Touching nonsterile (clean) protective eyewear once gowned and gloved with sterile gown and gloves would indicate a break in sterile technique. Sterile objects remain sterile only when touched by another sterile object. Standing with hands folded on the chest is common practice and prevents arms and hands from touching unsterile objects. Accepting sterile supplies from the surgeon who has opened them with the appropriate technique is acceptable. Staying with a sterile table once opened is a common practice to ascertain that no one or nothing has contaminated the table.

27. The nurse is caring for a patient who has multiple ticks on lower legs and body. What should the nurse do to rid the patient of ticks? a. Use blunt tweezers and pull upward with steady pressure. b. Burn the ticks with a match or small lighter. c. Allow the ticks to drop off by themselves. d. Apply miconazole and cover with plastic.

ANS: A Using blunt tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the head as possible and pull upward with even, steady pressure. Hold until the tick pulls out, usually for about 3 to 4 minutes. Save the tick in a plastic bag, and put it in the freezer if necessary to identify the type of tick. Because ticks transmit several diseases to people, they must be removed. Allowing them to drop off by themselves is not an option. Do not burn ticks off with a match or lighter. Miconazole is used to treat athlete's foot; it is a fungal medication. Covering ticks with plastic does not remove ticks.

3. A nurse is providing hygiene care to a bariatric patient using chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) wipes. Which actions will the nurse take? (Select all that apply.) a. Do not rinse. b. Clean under breasts. c. Inform that the skin will feel sticky. d. Dry thoroughly between skin folds. e. Use two wipes for each area of the body.

ANS: A, B, C CHG wipes are easy to use and accessible for older patients and bariatric patients, offering a no-rinse or -drying procedure. For a bariatric patient or a patient who is diaphoretic, provide special attention to body areas such as beneath the woman's breasts, in the groin, skin folds, and perineal area, where moisture collects and irritates skin surfaces. Use wipes as directed on package—one wipe per each area of the body. CHG can leave the skin feeling sticky. If patients complain about its use, you need to explain their vulnerability to infection and how CHG helps reduce occurrence of health care-associated infection.

2. The nurse is assessing a new patient admitted to home health. Which questions will be mostappropriate for the nurse to ask to determine the risk of infection? (Select all that apply.) a. "Can you explain the risk for infection in your home?" b. "Have you traveled outside of the United States?" c. "Will you demonstrate how to wash your hands?" d. "What are the signs and symptoms of infection?" e. "Are you able to walk to the mailbox?" f. "Who runs errands for you?"

ANS: A, B, C, D In the home setting, the objective is that the patient and/or family will utilize proper infection control techniques. Asking the patient and family about handwashing, risk of infection, recent travel, and signs and symptoms of infection is important in evaluating the patient's knowledge based on infection control strategies. Activity assessment is important for evaluation of the overall status of the patient, and knowing who runs errands gives you information on who is helping to meet the needs of the patient, but neither of these relates to decreasing the risk of infection.

4. Which patients will the nurse determine are in need of perineal care? (Select all that apply.) a. A patient with rectal and genital surgical dressings b. A patient with urinary and fecal incontinence c. A circumcised male who is ambulatory d. A patient who has an indwelling catheter e. A bariatric patient

ANS: A, B, D, E Patients most in need of perineal care include those at greatest risk for acquiring an infection (e.g., uncircumcised males, patients who have indwelling urinary catheters, or those who are recovering from rectal or genital surgery or childbirth). A patient with urinary and bowel incontinence needs perineal cleaning with each episode of soiling. Bariatric patients need special attention to body areas such as skin folds and the perineal area. In addition, women who are having a menstrual period require perineal care. Circumcised males are not at high risk for acquiring infection, and ambulatory patients can usually provide perineal self-care.

5. The nurse has received a report from the emergency department that a patient with tuberculosis will be coming to the unit. Which items will the nurse need to care for this patient? (Select all that apply.) a. Private room b. Negative-pressure airflow in room c. Surgical mask, gown, gloves, eyewear d. N95 respirator, gown, gloves, eyewear e. Communication signs for droplet precautions f. Communication signs for airborne precautions

ANS: A, B, D, F Caring for this patient requires a private room, negative-pressure airflow in room, and wearing an N95 respirator that has been fit-tested, gloves, gown, and eyewear. Tuberculosis is a disease that is transmitted by droplets that remain in the air for long periods of time, requiring airborne precautions. This patient will not be in droplet precautions and instead requires airborne precaution signs. This type of patient requires more than the average surgical mask for protection.

6. The nurse is providing an education session to an adult community group about the effects of smoking on infection. Which information is most important for the nurse to include in the educational session? a. Smoke from tobacco products clings to your clothing and hair. b. Smoking affects the cilia lining the upper airways in the lungs. c. Smoking can affect the color of the patient's fingernails. d. Smoking tobacco products can be very expensive.

ANS: B A normal defense mechanism against infection in the respiratory tract is the cilia lining the upper airways of the lungs and normal mucus. When a patient inhales a microbe, the cilia and mucus trap the microbe and sweep them up and out to be expectorated or swallowed. Smoking may alter this defense mechanism and increase the patient's potential for infection. Smoking can be expensive, the smell does cling to hair and clothing, and the tar within the smoke can alter the color of a patient's nails. This information can be included in the education but does not constitute the most important point.

43. The patient is being fitted with a hearing aid. In teaching the patient how to care for the hearing aid, which instructions will the nurse provide? a. Change the battery every day or as needed. b. Adjust the volume for a talking distance of 1 yard. c. Wear the hearing aid 24 hours per day except when sleeping. d. Avoid the use of hairspray, but aerosol perfumes are allowed.

ANS: B Adjust volume to a comfortable level for talking at a distance of 1 yard. Initially, wear a hearing aid for 15 to 20 minutes; then gradually increase wear time to 10 to 12 hours per day. Batteries last 1 week with daily wearing of 10 to 12 hours. Avoid the use of hairspray and perfume while wearing hearing aids. Residue from the spray can cause the aid to become oily and greasy.

18. The patient has contracted a urinary tract infection (UTI) while in the hospital. Which action will most likely increase the risk of a patient contracting a UTI? a. Reusing the patient's graduated receptacle to empty the drainage bag. b. Allowing the drainage bag port to touch the graduated receptacle. c. Emptying the urinary drainage bag at least once a shift. d. Irrigating the catheter infrequently.

ANS: B Allowing the urinary drainage bag port to touch contaminated items (graduated receptacle) may introduce bacteria into the urinary system and contribute to a urinary tract infection. The urinary drainage bag should be emptied at least once a shift. Patients should have their own receptacle for measurement to prevent cross-contamination. Repeated catheter irrigations increase the chance so irrigating infrequently will be beneficial in reducing the risk.

17. The infection control nurse is reviewing data for the medical-surgical unit. The nurse notices an increase in postoperative infections from Aspergillus. Which type of health care-associated infection will the nurse report? a. Vector b. Exogenous c. Endogenous d. Suprainfection

ANS: B An exogenous infection comes from microorganisms found outside the individual such as Salmonella, Clostridium tetani, and Aspergillus. They do not exist as normal floras. A vector transmits microorganisms and is usually a type of insect or organism. Endogenous infection occurs when part of the patient's flora becomes altered and an overgrowth results (e.g., staphylococci, enterococci, yeasts, and streptococci). This often happens when a patient receives broad-spectrum antibiotics that alter the normal floras. A suprainfection develops when broad-spectrum antibiotics eliminate a wide range of normal flora organisms, not just those causing infection.

36. The nurse is changing linens for a postoperative patient and feels a prick in the left hand. A nonactivated safe needle is noted in the linens. For which condition is the nurse most at risk? a. Diphtheria b. Hepatitis B c. Clostridium difficile d. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

ANS: B Bloodborne pathogens such as those associated with hepatitis B and C are most commonly transmitted by contaminated needles. Clostridium difficile and MRSA are spread by contact. Diphtheria is spread by droplets when one is within 3 feet of the patient.

34. A nurse is providing AM care to patients. Which action will the nurse take? a. Soaks feet of patient with peripheral vascular disease b. Applies CHG solution to wash perineum of patient with a stroke c. Cleanses eye from outer canthus to inner canthus of patient with diabetes d. Uses long, firm stroke to wash legs of patient with blood-clotting disorder

ANS: B CHG is safe to use on the perineum and external mucosa. If patient has diabetes or peripheral vascular disease with impaired circulation and/or sensation, do not soak feet. Maceration of skin may predispose to infection. Do not use long, firm strokes to wash the lower extremities of patients with history of deep vein thrombosis or blood-clotting disorders. Use short, light strokes instead. Eye should be cleansed from the inner to outer canthus on all patients.

23. The nurse is teaching the patient about flossing and oral hygiene. Which instruction will the nurse include in the teaching session? a. Using waxed floss prevents bleeding. b. Flossing removes plaque and tartar from the teeth. c. Performing flossing at least 3 times a day is beneficial. d. Applying toothpaste to the teeth before flossing is harmful.

ANS: B Dental flossing removes plaque and tartar between teeth. To prevent bleeding, the patient should use unwaxed floss. Flossing once a day is sufficient. If toothpaste is applied to the teeth before flossing, fluoride will come in direct contact with tooth surfaces, aiding in cavity prevention.

19. The nurse is providing oral care to an unconscious patient and notes that the patient has extremely bad breath. Which term will the nurse use when reporting to the oncoming shift? a. Cheilitis b. Halitosis c. Glossitis d. Dental caries

ANS: B Halitosis is the term for "bad breath." Cheilitis is the term for cracked lips. Dental caries are cavities in the teeth and could be a cause of the halitosis. Glossitis is the term for inflamed tongue.

6. When providing hygiene for an older-adult patient, the nurse closely assesses the skin. What is the rationale for the nurse's action? a. Outer skin layer becomes more resilient. b. Less frequent bathing may be required. c. Skin becomes less subject to bruising. d. Sweat glands become more active.

ANS: B In older adults, daily bathing as well as bathing with water that is too hot or soap that is harsh causes the skin to become excessively dry. As the patient ages, the skin thins and loses its resiliency and moisture, and lubricating skin glands become less active, making the skin fragile and prone to bruising and breaking.

4. The nurse is admitting a patient with an infectious disease process. Which question will be most appropriate for a nurse to ask about the patient's susceptibility to this infectious process? a. "Do you have a spouse?" b. "Do you have a chronic disease?" c. "Do you have any children living in the home?" d. "Do you have any religious beliefs that will influence your care?"

ANS: B Multiple factors influence a patient's susceptibility to infection. Patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and multiple sclerosis are also more susceptible to infection because of general debilitation and nutritional impairment. Other factors include age, nutritional status, trauma, and smoking. The other questions are part of an admission assessment process but are not pertinent to the infectious disease process.

1. A nurse is preparing to provide hygiene care. Which principle should the nurse consider when planning hygiene care? a. Hygiene care is always routine and expected. b. No two individuals perform hygiene in the same manner. c. It is important to standardize a patient's hygienic practices. d. During hygiene care do not take the time to learn about patient needs.

ANS: B No two individuals perform hygiene in the same manner; it is important to individualize the patient's care based on knowing about the patient's unique hygiene practices and preferences. Hygiene care is never routine; this care requires intimate contact with the patient and communication skills to promote the therapeutic relationship. In addition, during hygiene, the nurse should take time to learn about the patient's health promotion practices and needs, emotional needs, and health care education needs.

32. The home health nurse is teaching a patient and family about hand hygiene in the home. Which situation will cause the nurse to emphasize washing hands before and after? a. Shaking hands b. Performing treatments c. Opening the refrigerator d. Working on a computer

ANS: B Patients and family members should perform hand hygiene before and after treatments and when coming in contact with body fluids. Shaking hands does not require washing of hands before and after. Washing hands before and after opening the refrigerator and using the computer is not required.

35. The nurse is providing a complete bed bath to a patient using a commercial bath cleansing pack (bag bath). What should the nurse do? a. Rinse thoroughly. b. Allow the skin to air-dry. c. Do not use a bath towel. d. Dry the skin with a towel.

ANS: B The nurse should allow the skin to air-dry for 30 seconds. Drying the skin with a towel removes the emollient that is left behind after the water/cleanser solution evaporates. It is permissible to lightly cover the patient with a bath blanket or towel to prevent chilling. Do not rinse when using a bag bath.

5. The patient experienced a surgical procedure, and Betadine was utilized as the surgical prep. Two days postoperatively, the nurse's assessment indicates that the incision is red and has a small amount of purulent drainage. The patient reports tenderness at the incision site. The patient's temperature is 100.5° F, and the WBC is 10,500/mm3. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Plan to change the surgical dressing during the shift. b. Utilize SBAR to notify the primary health care provider. c. Reevaluate the temperature and white blood cell count in 4 hours. d. Check to see what solution was used for skin preparation in surgery.

ANS: B The nursing assessment indicates signs and symptoms of infection, requiring the primary health care provider to be notified of the patient's needs. SBAR—Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation—can be utilized to organize thoughts and data and to provide a thorough explanation of the patient's current status. The reevaluation of temperature is a good choice, but it will take longer than 4 hours to make a change in the white blood cells. Changing the dressing may be a need during the shift but is not a first priority. Checking to see about the skin preparation used 2 days ago may or may not be useful information at this time.

31. The nurse is preparing to provide a complete bed bath to an unconscious patient. The nurse decides to use a bag bath. In which order will the nurse clean the body, starting with the first area? 1. Neck, shoulders, and chest 2. Abdomen and groin/perineum 3. Legs, feet, and web spaces 4. Back of neck, back, and then buttocks 5. Both arms, both hands, web spaces, and axilla a. 5, 1, 2, 3, 4 b. 1, 5, 2, 3, 4 c. 1, 5, 2, 4, 3 d. 5, 1, 2, 4, 3

ANS: B Use all six chlorhexidene gluconate (CHG) cloths in the following order: 1. Cloth 1: Neck, shoulders, and chest 2. Cloth 2: Both arms, both hands, web spaces, and axilla 3. Cloth 3: Abdomen and then groin/perineum 4. Cloth 4: Right leg, right foot, and web spaces 5. Cloth 5: Left leg, left foot, and web spaces 6. Cloth 6: Back of neck, back, and then buttocks

45. A patient uses an in-the-canal hearing aid. Which assessment is a priority? a. Eyeglass usage b. Cerumen buildup c. Type of physical exercise d. Excessive moisture problems

ANS: B With this type of model (in-the-canal), cerumen tends to plug this model more than others. There are three popular types of hearing aids. An in-the-canal (ITC) aid is the newest, smallest, and least visible and fits entirely in the ear canal. It has cosmetic appeal, is easy to manipulate and place in the ear, and does not interfere with wearing eyeglasses or using the telephone, and the patient can wear it during most physical exercise. An in-the-ear aid (ITE, or intra-aural) is more noticeable than the ITC aid and is not for people with moisture or skin problems in the ear canal. The larger size of this type of aid (behind-the-ear, BTE, or post-aural) can make use of eyeglasses and phones difficult; it is more difficult to keep in place during physical exercise.

1. The nurse is caring for a patient with cognitive impairments. Which actions will the nurse take during AM care? (Select all that apply.) a. Administer ordered analgesic 1 hour before bath time. b. Increase the frequency of skin assessment. c. Reduce triggers in the environment. d. Keep the room temperature cool. e. Be as quick as possible.

ANS: B, C If a patient is physically dependent or cognitively impaired, increase the frequency of skin assessment. Adapt your bathing procedures and the environment to reduce the triggers. For example, administer any ordered analgesic 30 minutes before a bath and be gentle in your approach. Keep the patient's body as warm as possible with warm towels and be sure the room temperature is comfortable.

37. The nurse is providing perineal care to an uncircumcised male patient. Which action will the nurse take? a. Leave the foreskin alone because there is little chance of infection. b. Retract the foreskin for cleansing and allow it to return on its own. c. Retract the foreskin and return it to its natural position when done. d. Leave the foreskin retracted.

ANS: C Return the foreskin to its natural position. Keeping the foreskin retracted leads to tightening of the foreskin around the shaft of the penis, causing local edema and discomfort. The foreskin may not return to its natural position on its own. Patients at greatest risk for infection are uncircumcised males.

3. The circulating nurse in the operating room is observing the surgical technologist while applying a sterile gown and gloves to care for a patient having an appendectomy. Which behaviors indicate to the nurse that the procedure by the surgical technologist is correct? (Select all that apply.) a. Ties the back of own gown b. Touches only the inside of gown c. Slips arms into arm holes simultaneously d. Extended fingers fully into both of the gloves e. Uses hands covered by sleeves to open gloves f. Applies surgical cap and face mask in the operating suite

ANS: B, C, D, E To maintain sterility, the surgical technologist (ST) touches the inside of the gown that will be against the body. Arms are slipped simultaneously into the gown to prevent contamination. Using the sleeves covering the hands maintains the principle of sterile only touching sterile to open gloves. Extending the fingers fully into both gloves ensures that the ST has full dexterity while using the sterile gloved hand. Surgical cap, face mask, and eye wear are applied before entering the surgical area and completing the surgical scrub. Reaching behind to tie the back of the gown will contaminate the sterile area of the gown.

30. A self-sufficient bedridden patient is unable to reach all body parts. Which type of bath will the nurse assign to the nursing assistive personnel? a. Bag bath b. Sponge bath c. Partial bed bath d. Complete bed bath

ANS: C A partial bath consists of washing body parts that the patient cannot reach, including the back, and providing a backrub. Dependent patients in need of partial hygiene or self-sufficient bedridden patients who are unable to reach all body parts receive a partial bed bath. Complete bed baths are administered to totally dependent patients in bed. The bag bath contains several soft, nonwoven cotton cloths that are premoistened in a solution of no-rinse surfactant cleanser and emollient. The sponge bath involves bathing from a bath basin or a sink with the patient sitting in a chair.

13. The nurse is caring for a patient who is susceptible to infection. Which instruction will the nurse include in an educational session to decrease the risk of infection? a. Teaching the patient about fall prevention b. Teaching the patient to take a temperature c. Teaching the patient to select nutritious foods d. Teaching the patient about the effects of alcohol

ANS: C A patient's nutritional health directly influences susceptibility to infection. A reduction in the intake of protein and other nutrients such as carbohydrates and fats reduces body defenses against infection and impairs wound healing. This is the only teaching point that directly influences risk. Teaching the patient how to take a temperature can help the patient assess if there is a fever, but it is not related to decreasing the individual's risk for infection. Teaching the patient about fall prevention or about the effects of alcohol does not decrease the risk of infection.

7. A female adult patient presents to the clinic with reports of a white discharge and itching in the vaginal area. A nurse is taking a health history. Which question is the priority? a. "When was the last time you visited your primary health care provider?" b. "Has this condition affected your eating habits in any way?" c. "What medications are you currently taking?" d. "Are you able to sleep at night?"

ANS: C Antibiotics and oral contraceptives can disrupt normal flora in the vagina, causing an overgrowth of Candida albicans in that area. It is important to ask the patient about current medications to obtain information that may assist with diagnosis. The body contains normal flora (microorganisms) that live on the surface of skin, saliva, oral mucosa, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary tract. The normal flora of the vagina causes vaginal secretions to achieve a low pH, inhibiting the growth of many microorganisms. Visiting the primary health care provider is important for the patient's health maintenance but is not the priority. Learning about the patient's eating and sleeping habits will assist in the plan of care but is not the priority.

10. The nurse is caring for a patient who is immobile. The nurse frequently checks the patient for impaired skin integrity. What is the rationale for the nurse's action? a. Inadequate blood flow leads to decreased tissue ischemia. b. Patients with limited caloric intake develop thicker skin. c. Pressure reduces circulation to affected tissue. d. Verbalization of skin care needs is decreased.

ANS: C Body parts exposed to pressure have reduced circulation to affected tissue. Patients with limited caloric and protein intake develop thinner, less elastic skin with loss of subcutaneous tissue. Inadequate blood flow causes ischemia and breakdown. Verbalization is affected when altered cognition occurs from dementia, psychological disorders, or temporary delirium, not from immobility.

36. A nurse is providing perineal care to a female patient. Which washing technique will the nurse use? a. Back to front b. In a circular motion c. From pubic area to rectum d. Upward from rectum to pubic area

ANS: C Cleansing from pubic area to rectum (front to back) reduces the transfer of microorganisms to the urinary meatus and decreases the risk of urinary tract infection. Cleansing from rectum to pubic area or back to front increases the risk of urinary tract infection. Circular motions are used in male perineal care.

20. The nurse is caring for a patient in labor and delivery. When near completing an assessment of the patient's cervix, the electronic infusion device being used on the intravenous (IV) infusion alarms. Which sequence of actions is most appropriate for the nurse to take? a. Complete the assessment, remove gloves, and silence the alarm. b. Discontinue the assessment, silence the alarm, and assess the intravenous site. c. Complete the assessment, remove gloves, wash hands, and assess the intravenous infusion. d. Discontinue the assessment, remove gloves, use hand gel, and assess the intravenous infusion.

ANS: C Completing the assessment while wearing gloves, removing gloves, washing hands after contact with body fluids, and then assessing the intravenous infusion will assist in the prevention and transfer of any potential organisms to this intravenous line. Completing the assessment, removing gloves, and silencing the alarm leaves out the crucial step of decontaminating and washing the hands. Discontinuing the assessment and assessing the IV leaves out removing the gloves and decontamination, as well as completing the assessment for the patient. Discontinuing the assessment, removing gloves, using hand gel, and assessing the IV is incorrect because upon exposure to body fluids, washing hands is appropriate.

24. The nurse is teaching the parents of a child who has head lice (pediculosis capitis). Which information will the nurse include in the teaching session? a. Treatment is use of regular shampoo. b. Products containing lindane are most effective. c. Head lice may spread to furniture and other people. d. Manual removal is not a realistic option as treatment.

ANS: C Head lice are difficult to remove and spread to furniture and other people if not treated. Caution against use of products containing lindane because the ingredient is toxic and is known to cause adverse reactions. Treatments use medicated shampoo for eliminating lice. Manual removal is the best option when treatment has failed.

32. The female nurse is caring for a male patient who is uncircumcised but not ambulatory and has full function of all extremities. The nurse is providing the patient with a partial bed bath. How should perineal care be performed for this patient? a. Should be postponed because it may cause embarrassment b. Should be unnecessary because the patient is uncircumcised c. Should be done by the patient d. Should be done by the nurse

ANS: C If a patient is able to perform perineal self-care, encourage this independence. Patients most in need of perineal care are those at greatest risk for acquiring an infection such as uncircumcised males; perineal care is necessary. Embarrassment should not cause the nurse to overlook the patient's hygiene needs. The nurse should provide this care only if the patient is unable to do so.

28. The nurse is providing oral care to a patient. In which order will the nurse clean the oral cavity, starting with the first area? 1. Roof of mouth, gums, and inside cheek 2. Chewing and inner tooth surfaces 3. Outer tooth surfaces 4. Tongue a. 4, 1, 3, 2 b. 3, 2, 4, 1 c. 2, 3, 1, 4 d. 1, 4, 2, 3

ANS: C Oral care is provided in the following sequence: Clean chewing and inner tooth surfaces first. Clean outer tooth surfaces. Moisten brush with chlorhexidine rinse to rinse. Use toothette to clean roof of mouth, gums, and inside cheeks. Gently brush tongue but avoid stimulating gag reflex. Rinse.

14. After performing foot care, the nurse checks the medical record and discovers that the patient has a foot disorder caused by a virus. Which condition did the nurse most likely observe? a. Corns b. A callus c. Plantar warts d. Athlete's foot

ANS: C Plantar warts appear on the sole of the foot and are caused by the papillomavirus. Corns are caused by friction and pressure from ill-fitting or loose shoes. Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection and can spread to other body parts. A callus is caused by local friction or pressure.

38. Which instruction will the nurse provide to the nursing assistive personnel when providing foot care for a patient with diabetes? a. Do not place slippers on the patient's feet. b. Trim the patient's toenails daily. c. Report sores on the patient's toes. d. Check the brachial artery.

ANS: C Report any changes that may indicate inflammation or injury to tissue. Do not allow the diabetic patient to go barefoot; injury can lead to amputations. Clipping toenails is not allowed. Patients with peripheral vascular disease or diabetes mellitus often require nail care from a specialist to reduce the risk of infection. When assessing the patient's feet, the nurse palpates the dorsalis pedis of the foot, not the brachial artery.

3. The patient has been diagnosed with diabetes. When admitted, the patient is unkempt and is in need of a bath and foot care. When questioned about hygiene habits, the nurse learns the patient takes a bath once a week and a sponge bath every other day. To provide ultimate care for this patient, which principle should the nurse keep in mind? a. Patients who appear unkempt place little importance on hygiene practices. b. Personal preferences determine hygiene practices and are unchangeable. c. The patient's illness may require teaching of new hygiene practices. d. All cultures value cleanliness with the same degree of importance.

ANS: C The nurse must assist the patient in developing new hygiene practices when indicated by an illness or condition. For example, the nurse will need to teach a patient with diabetes proper foot hygiene. Patients who appear unkempt often need further assessment regarding their ability to participate in daily hygiene. Patients with certain types of physical limitations or disabilities often lack the physical energy and dexterity to perform hygienic care. Culturally, maintaining cleanliness does not hold the same importance for some ethnic groups as it does for others.

20. The nurse is caring for a patient with diabetes. Which task will the nurse assign to the nursing assistive personnel? a. Providing nail care b. Teaching foot care c. Making an occupied bed d. Determining aspiration risk

ANS: C The skill of making an occupied bed can be delegated to nursing assistive personnel. Nail care, teaching foot care, and assessing aspiration risk of a patient with diabetes must be performed by the RN; these skills cannot be delegated.

22. The nurse is caring for a patient with an incision. Which actions will best indicate an understanding of medical and surgical asepsis for a sterile dressing change? a. Donning clean goggles, gown, and gloves to dress the wound b. Donning sterile gown and gloves to remove the wound dressing c. Utilizing clean gloves to remove the dressing and sterile supplies for the new dressing d. Utilizing clean gloves to remove the dressing and clean supplies for the new dressing

ANS: C Utilize clean gloves (medical asepsis) to remove contaminated dressings and sterile supplies, including gloves and dressings (surgical asepsis-sterile technique) to reapply sterile dressings. Wearing sterile gowns and gloves is not necessary when removing soiled dressings. Donning clean gloves to dress a sterile wound would contaminate the sterile supplies. Utilizing clean supplies for a sterile dressing would not help in decreasing the number of microbes at the incision site.

42. The patient reports to the nurse about a perceived decrease in hearing. When the nurse examines the patient's ear, a large amount of cerumen buildup at the entrance to the ear canal is observed. Which action will the nurse take next? a. Teach the patient how to use cotton-tipped applicators. b. Tell the patient to use a bobby pin to extract earwax. c. Apply gentle, downward retraction of the ear canal. d. Instill hot water into the ear canal to melt the wax.

ANS: C When cerumen is visible, gentle, downward retraction at the entrance to the ear canal causes the wax to loosen and slip out. Instruct the patient never to use sharp objects such as bobby pins or paper clips to remove earwax. Use of such objects can traumatize the ear canal and ruptures the tympanic membrane. Avoid the use of cotton-tipped applicators as well because they cause earwax to become impacted within the canal. Instilling cold or hot water causes nausea or vomiting.

11. The nurse is caring for a patient with leukemia and is preparing to provide fluids through a vascular access (IV) device. Which nursing intervention is a priority in this procedure? a. Review the procedure with the patient. b. Position the patient comfortably. c. Maintain surgical aseptic technique. d. Gather available supplies.

ANS: C You maintain surgical aseptic technique at the patient's bedside (e.g., when inserting IV or urinary catheters, suctioning the tracheobronchial airway, and sterile dressing changes) because patients with disease processes of the immune system are at particular risk for infection. These diseases include leukemia, AIDS, lymphoma, and aplastic anemia. These disease processes weaken the defenses against an infectious organism. Reviewing the procedure with the patient, positioning the patient, and gathering the supplies are all important steps in the procedure but are not the priority in the procedure since the patient already has a compromised immune response.

5. The patient must stay in bed for a bed change. Which actions will the nurse implement? (Select all that apply.) a. Apply sterile gloves. b. Keep soiled linen close to uniform. c. Advise patient will feel a lump when rolling over. d. Turn clean pillowcase inside out over the hand holding it. e. Make a modified mitered corner with sheet, blanket, and spread.

ANS: C, D, E When making an occupied bed, advise patients they will feel a lump when turning, turn clean pillowcase inside out, and make a modified mitered corner. Clean gloves are used. Keep soiled linen away from uniform.

5. A nurse is completing an assessment of the patient. Which principle is a priority? a. Foot care will always be important. b. Daily bathing will always be important. c. Hygiene needs will always be important. d. Critical thinking will always be important.

ANS: D A patient's condition is always changing, requiring ongoing critical thinking and changing of nursing diagnoses. Apply the elements of critical thinking as you use the nursing process to meet patients' hygiene needs. Critical thinking will help you determine when foot care, daily bathing, and hygiene needs are important and when they are not.

34. The nurse is caring for a patient on contact precautions. Which action will be most appropriate to prevent the spread of disease? a. Place the patient in a room with negative airflow. b. Wear a gown, gloves, face mask, and goggles for interactions with the patient. c. Transport the patient safely and quickly when going to the radiology department. d. Use a dedicated blood pressure cuff that stays in the room and is used for that patient only.

ANS: D Contact precautions are a type of isolation precaution used for patients with illness that can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact. Patients who are on contact precautions should have dedicated equipment wherever possible. This would mean, for example, that one blood pressure cuff and one stethoscope would stay in the room with the patient and would be used for that patient only. A gown and gloves may be required for interactions with a patient who is on contact precautions. A face mask and goggles are not part of contact precautions. A room with negative airflow is needed for patients placed on airborne precautions; it is not necessary for a patient on contact precautions. When a patient on contact precautions needs to be transported, the patient should wear clean gown, and hands cleaned, and the infectious material is contained or covered.

13. Which action by the nurse will be the most important for preventing skin impairment in a mobile patient with local nerve damage? a. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter. b. Limit caloric and protein intake. c. Turn the patient every 2 hours. d. Assess for pain during a bath.

ANS: D During a bath, assess the status of sensory nerve function by checking for touch, pain, heat, cold, and pressure. When restricted from moving freely, dependent body parts are exposed to pressure that reduces circulation. However, this patient is mobile and therefore is able to change positions. Limiting caloric and protein intake may result in impaired or delayed wound healing. A mobile patient can use bathroom facilities or a urinal and does not need a urinary catheter.

9. Which interventions utilized by the nurse will indicate the ability to recognize a localized inflammatory response? a. Vigorous range-of-motion exercises b. Turn, cough, and deep breathe c. Orient to date, time, and place d. Rest, ice, and elevation

ANS: D Signs of localized inflammation include swelling, redness, heat, pain or tenderness, and loss of function in the affected body part. One sign of the inflammatory response, particularly after an injury, is swelling or edema. Resting the affected injured area, using ice as ordered, wrapping the area to provide support—particularly if it is an extremity—and elevating the injured area will help to decrease swelling or edema. Turning, coughing, and deep breathing are utilized for postoperative patients and for immobilized patients to help prevent an infectious process such as pneumonia. Orientation to date, time, and place is an intervention utilized with many different types of patients who may be confused. Vigorous range of motion would irritate the inflammatory process. Range of motion is utilized for individuals who need to improve movement of their extremities, including immobilized patients.

24. The nurse is caring for a patient who is at risk for infection. Which action by the nurse indicates correct understanding about standard precautions? a. Teaches the patient about good nutrition b. Dons gloves when wearing artificial nails c. Disposes an uncapped needle in the designated container d. Wears eyewear when emptying the urinary drainage bag

ANS: D Standard precautions include the wearing of eyewear whenever there is a possibility of a splash or splatter, like when emptying the urinary drainage bag. Teaching the patient about good nutrition is positive but does not apply to standard precautions. Standard precautions apply to contact with blood, body fluid (except sweat), nonintact skin, and mucous membranes from all patients. Artificial nails are not worn when using standard precautions. Any needles should be disposed of uncapped, or a mechanical safety device is activated for recapping.

8. The nurse is caring for a school-aged child who has injured the right leg after a bicycle accident. Which signs and symptoms will the nurse assess for to determine if the child is experiencing a localized inflammatory response? a. Malaise, anorexia, enlarged lymph nodes, and increased white blood cells b. Chest pain, shortness of breath, and nausea and vomiting c. Dizziness and disorientation to time, date, and place d. Edema, redness, tenderness, and loss of function

ANS: D The body's cellular response to an injury is seen as inflammation. Signs of localized inflammation include swelling, redness, heat, pain or tenderness, and loss of function in the affected body part. Systemic signs of inflammation include fever, malaise, and anorexia, as well as enlarged lymph nodes and increased white blood cells. Chest pain, shortness of breath, and nausea and vomiting are signs and symptoms of a cardiac alteration. Dizziness and disorientation to time, date, and place may indicate a neurologic alteration.

39. The nurse is caring for a patient who needs a protective environment. The nurse has provided the care needed and is now leaving the room. In which order will the nurse remove the personal protective equipment, beginning with the first step? 1. Remove eyewear/face shield and goggles. 2. Perform hand hygiene, leave room, and close door. 3. Remove gloves. 4. Untie gown, allow gown to fall from shoulders, and do not touch outside of gown; dispose of properly. 5. Remove mask by strings; do not touch outside of mask. 6. Dispose of all contaminated supplies and equipment in designated receptacles. a. 3, 1, 4, 5, 6, 2 b. 1, 4, 5, 3, 6, 2 c. 1, 4, 5, 3, 2, 6 d. 3, 1, 4, 5, 2, 6

ANS: D The correct order for removing personal protective equipment for a patient in a protective environment and for performing associated tasks is to remove gloves, remove eyewear, remove gown, remove mask, perform hand hygiene, leave room and close doors, and dispose of all contaminated supplies and equipment in a manner that prevents the spread of microorganisms.

28. The nurse is performing hand hygiene before assisting a health care provider with insertion of a chest tube. While washing hands, the nurse touches the sink. Which action will the nurse take next? a. Inform the health care provider and recruit another nurse to assist. b. Rinse and dry hands, and begin assisting the health care provider. c. Extend the handwashing procedure to 5 minutes. d. Repeat handwashing using antiseptic soap.

ANS: D The inside of the sink and the edges of the sink, faucet, and handles are considered contaminated areas. If the hands touch any of these areas during handwashing, repeat the handwashing procedure utilizing antiseptic soap. There is no need to inform the health care provider or be relieved of this assignment. If the hands are contaminated when touching the sink, drying hands and proceeding with the procedure could possibly contaminate and contribute to increased microbial counts during the procedure, resulting in infection for the patient. Extending the time for washing the hands (although this is what will happen when the procedure is repeated) is not the focus. The focus is to repeat the whole hand hygiene procedure utilizing antiseptic soap.

33. A nursing assistive personnel (NAP) is providing AM care to patients. Which action by the NAP will require the nurse to intervene? a. Not offering a backrub to a patient with fractured ribs b. Not offering to wash the hair of a patient with neck trauma c. Turning off the television while giving a backrub to the patient d. Turning patient's head with neck injury to side when giving oral care

ANS: D The nurse must intervene if the NAP turns the patient's head with a neck injury; this is contraindicated and must be stopped to prevent further injury. All the other actions are appropriate and do not need follow-up. Consult the medical record for any contraindications to a massage (e.g., fractured ribs, burns, and heart surgery). Before washing a patient's hair, determine that there are no contraindications to procedure (e.g., neck injury). When providing a backrub, enhance relaxation by reducing noise (turning off the television) and ensuring that the patient is comfortable.

3. The nurse is providing an educational session for a group of preschool workers. The nurse reminds the group about the most important thing to do to prevent the spread of infection. Which information did the nurse share with the preschool workers? a. Encourage preschool children to eat a nutritious diet. b. Suggest that parents provide a multivitamin to the children. c. Clean the toys every afternoon before putting them away. d. Wash their hands between each interaction with children.

ANS: D The single most important thing that individuals can do to prevent the spread of infection is to wash their hands before and after eating, going to the bathroom, changing a diaper, and wiping a nose and between touching each individual child. It is important for preschool children to have a nutritious diet; a healthy individual can fight infection more effectively. A health care provider, along with the parent, makes decisions about dietary supplements. Cleaning the toys can decrease the number of pathogens but is not the most important thing to do in this scenario.

22. The nurse is providing oral care to an unconscious patient. Which action should the nurse take? a. Moisten the mouth using lemon-glycerin sponges. b. Hold the patient's mouth open with gloved fingers. c. Use foam swabs to help remove plaque. d. Suction the oral cavity.

ANS: D When providing oral hygiene to an unconscious patient, the nurse needs to protect him or her from choking and aspiration. Have two nurses provide care; one nurse does the actual cleaning, and the other caregiver removes secretions with suction equipment. The nurse can delegate nursing assistive personnel to participate. Some agencies use equipment that combines a mouth swab with the suction device. This device can be used safely by one nurse to provide oral care. Commercially made foam swabs are ineffective in removing plaque. Do not use lemon-glycerin sponges because they dry mucous membranes and erode tooth enamel. While cleansing the oral cavity, use a small oral airway or a padded tongue blade to hold the mouth open. Never use your fingers to hold the patient's mouth open. A human bite contains multiple pathogenic microorganisms.

4. The nurse is caring for a patient who refuses to bathe in the morning. When asked why, the patient says "I always bathe in the evening." Which action by the nurse is best? a. Defer the bath until evening and pass on the information to the next shift. b. Tell the patient that daily morning baths are the "normal" routine. c. Explain the importance of maintaining morning hygiene practices. d. Cancel hygiene for the day and attempt again in the morning.

ANS: A Allow the patient to follow normal hygiene practices; change the bath to evening. Patients have individual preferences about when to perform hygiene and grooming care. Knowing the patient's personal preferences promotes individualized care for the patient. Hygiene care is never routine. Maintaining individual personal preferences is important unless new hygiene practices are indicated by an illness or condition. Cancelling hygiene and trying again is not an option since the nurse already knows the reason for refusal. Adapting practices to meet individual needs is required.

8. The patient has been brought to the emergency department following a motor vehicle accident. The patient is unresponsive. The driver's license states that glasses are needed to operate a motor vehicle, but no glasses were brought in with the patient. Which action should the nurse take next? a. Stand to the side of the patient's eye and observe the cornea. b. Conclude that the glasses were lost during the accident. c. Notify the ambulance personnel for missing glasses. d. Ask the patient where the glasses are.

ANS: A An important aspect of an eye examination is to determine if the patient wears contact lenses, especially in patients who are unresponsive. To determine whether a contact lens is present, stand to the side of the patient's eye and observe the cornea for the presence of a soft or rigid lens. It is also important to observe the sclera to detect the presence of a lens that has shifted off the cornea. An undetected lens causes severe corneal injury when left in place too long. Never assume that glasses were lost or were not worn. Contacting ambulance personnel takes time and cannot assume the glasses are missing. Asking the patient where the glasses are is inappropriate since the patient is unresponsive.

35. The nurse is caring for a patient who has cultured positive for Clostridium difficile. Which action will the nurse take next? a. Instruct assistive personnel to use soap and water rather than sanitizer. b. Wear an N95 respirator when entering the patient room. c. Place the patient on droplet precautions. d. Teach the patient cough etiquette.

ANS: A Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming organism that can be transmitted through direct and indirect patient contact. Because Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming organism, hand sanitizer is not effective in preventing its transmission. Hands must be washed with soap and water to prevent transmission. This organism is not transmitted via the droplet route; therefore, droplet precautions are not needed. An N95 respirator is used primarily for patients with airborne illness, especially tuberculosis. While all patients should be taught cough etiquette, this action is not specifically related to the patient having Clostridium difficile.

30. The nurse is observing a family member changing a dressing for a patient in the home health environment. Which observation indicates the family member has a correct understanding of how to manage contaminated dressings? a. The family member places the used dressings in a plastic bag. b. The family member saves part of the dressing because it is clean. c. The family member removes gloves and gathers items for disposal. d. The family member wraps the used dressing in toilet tissue before placing in trash.

ANS: A Contaminated dressings and other infectious, disposable items should be placed in impervious plastic or brown paper bags and then disposed of properly in garbage containers. Gloves should be worn during this process. Parts of the dressing should not be saved, even though they may seem clean, because microbes may be present.

29. The nurse is caring for an older-adult patient with Alzheimer's disease who is ambulatory but requires total assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). The nurse notices that the patient is edentulous. Which area should the nurse assess? a. Assess oral cavity. b. Assess room for drafts. c. Assess ankles for edema. d. Assess for reduced sensations.

ANS: A Edentulous means without teeth; therefore, the nurse needs to assess the oral cavity. While older adults may want the room warmer and drafts should be avoided, this does not help with being edentulous. Edentulous does not mean the patient has edema. While older-adult patients can have reduced sensations, this is not the meaning of edentulous.

2. The nurse is caring for a patient who has peripheral neuropathy. Which clinical manifestations does the nurse expect to find upon assessment? (Select all that apply.) a. Abnormal gait b. Foot deformities c. Absent or decreased pedal pulses d. Muscle wasting of lower extremities e. Decreased hair growth on legs and feet

ANS: A, B, D A patient with peripheral neuropathy has muscle wasting of lower extremities, foot deformities, and abnormal gait. A patient with vascular insufficiency will have decreased hair growth on legs and feet, absent or decreased pulses, and thickened nails.

6. The nurse and the student nurse are caring for two different patients on the medical-surgical unit. One patient is in airborne precautions, and one is in contact precautions. The nurse explains to the student different interventions for care. Which information will the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.) a. Dispose of supplies to prevent the spread of microorganisms. b. Wash hands before entering and leaving both of the patients' rooms. c. Be consistent in nursing interventions since there is only one difference in the precautions. d. Apply the knowledge the nurse has of the disease process to prevent the spread of microorganisms. e. Have patients in airborne precautions wear a mask during transportation to other departments. f. Check the working order of the negative-pressure room for the airborne precaution patient on admission and at discharge.

ANS: A, B, D, E Washing hands, properly disposing of supplies, applying knowledge of the disease process, and having patients in airborne precautions wear a mask during transfer are all principles to follow when caring for patients in isolation. Multiple differences are evident among these types of isolation, including the type of room used for the patient and what the nurse wears while caring for the patient. It is important to check the working order of a negative-pressure room before admitting a patient to the room, each shift the patient is in the room, and if and when the device alarms. Checking the working order of the negative-pressure rooms at discharge is not necessary.

37. The nurse is caring for a patient who has a bloodborne pathogen. The nurse splashes blood above the glove to intact skin while discontinuing an intravenous (IV) infusion. Which step(s) will the nurse take next? a. Obtain an alcohol swab, remove the blood with an alcohol swab, and continue care. b. Immediately wash the site with soap and running water, and seek guidance from the manager. c. Do nothing; accidentally getting splashed with blood happens frequently and is part of the job. d. Delay washing of the site until the nurse is finished providing care to the patient.

ANS: B After getting splashed with blood from a patient who has a known bloodborne pathogen, it is important to cleanse the site immediately and thoroughly with soap and running water and notify the manager for guidance on next steps in the process. Removing the blood with an alcohol swab, delaying washing, and doing nothing because the splash was to intact skin could possibly spread the blood within the room and could spread the infection. Contain contamination immediately to prevent contact spread.

9. A nurse is assessing a patient's skin. Which patient is most at risk for impaired skin integrity? a. A patient who is afebrile b. A patient who is diaphoretic c. A patient with strong pedal pulses d. A patient with adequate skin turgor

ANS: B Excessive moisture (diaphoretic) on the surface of the skin serves as a medium for bacterial growth and causes irritation, softens epidermal cells, and leads to skin maceration. A patient who is afebrile is not a high risk; however, a patient who is febrile (fever) is prone to skin breakdown. A patient with strong pedal pulses is not a high risk; however, a patient with vascular insufficiency is. A patient with adequate skin turgor is not a high risk; however, a patient with poor skin turgor is.

2. A patient's hygiene schedule of bathing and brushing teeth is largely influenced by family customs. For which age group is the nurse most likely providing care? a. Adolescent b. Preschooler c. Older adult d. Adult

ANS: B Family customs play a major role during childhood in determining hygiene practices such as the frequency of bathing, the time of day bathing is performed, and even whether certain hygiene practices such as brushing of the teeth or flossing are performed. As children enter adolescence, peer groups and media often influence hygiene practices. During the adult years involvement with friends and work groups shape the expectations that people have about personal appearance. Some older adults' hygiene practices change because of changes in living conditions and available resources.

38. Which process will be required after exposure of a nurse to blood by a cut from a used scalpel in the operative area? a. Placing the scalpel in a needle safe container b. Testing the patient and offering treatment to the nurse c. Removing sterile gloves and disposing of in kick bucket d. Providing a medical evaluation of the nurse to the manager

ANS: B Follow-up for risk of infection begins with patient testing. Patients should be tested for HIV and hepatitis B and C. Testing of the nurse is dependent on the results of patient testing; if the patient is positive for one of these infections, the nurse will be started on testing and treatment. Removing sterile gloves and placing sharps in appropriate containers are always part of the perioperative process and are not the process for postexposure. A confidential medical evaluation is provided to the nurse, not the manager.

26. A nurse is providing a bath. In which order will the nurse clean the body, beginning with the first area? 1. Face 2. Eyes 3. Perineum 4. Arm and chest 5. Hands and nails 6. Back and buttocks 7. Abdomen and legs

ANS: B The sequence for giving a bath is as follows: eyes, face, both arms, chest, hands/nails, abdomen, both legs, perineal hygiene, back, and buttocks/anus.

41. The nurse is teaching a patient about contact lens care. Which instructions will the nurse include in the teaching session? a. Use tap water to clean soft lenses. b. Wash and rinse lens storage case daily. c. Reuse storage solution for up to a week. d. Keep the lenses is a cool dry place when not being used.

ANS: B Thoroughly wash and rinse lens storage case on a daily basis. Clean periodically with soap or liquid detergent, rinse thoroughly with warm water, and air-dry. Do not use tap water to clean soft lenses. Lenses should be kept moist or wet when not worn. Use fresh solution daily when storing and disinfecting lenses.

19. Which nursing action will most likely increase a patient's risk for developing a health care-associated infection? a. Uses surgical aseptic technique to suction an airway b. Uses a clean technique for inserting a urinary catheter c. Uses a cleaning stroke from the urinary meatus toward the rectum d. Uses a sterile bottled solution more than once within a 24-hour period

ANS: B Using clean technique (medical asepsis) to insert a urinary catheter would place the patient at risk for a health care-associated infection. Urinary catheters need to be inserted using sterile technique, which is also referred to as surgical asepsis. Surgical aseptic technique (also called sterile technique) should be used when suctioning an airway because it is considered a sterile body cavity. Washing from clean to dirty (urinary meatus toward rectum) is correct for decreasing infection risk. Bottled solutions may be used repeatedly during a 24-hour period; however, special care is needed to ensure that the solution in the bottle remains sterile. After 24 hours, the solution should be discarded.

1. The nurse is caring for a patient in protective environment. Which actions will the nurse take? (Select all that apply.) a. Wear an N95 respirator when entering the patient's room. b. Maintain airflow rate greater than 12 air exchanges/hr. c. Place in special room with negative-pressure airflow. d. Open drapes during the daytime. e. Listen to the patient's interests. f. Place dried flowers in a plastic vase.

ANS: B, D, E This form of isolation requires a specialized room with positive airflow. The airflow rate is set at greater than 12 air exchanges/hr, and all air is filtered through a HEPA filter. Isolation disrupts normal social relationships with visitors and caregivers. Take the opportunity to listen to a patient's concerns or interests. Open drapes or shades and remove excess supplies and equipment. Patients are not allowed to have dried or fresh flowers or potted plants in these rooms. All health care personnel wear an N95 respirator every time they enter the room for patients, and a private room with negative airflow is required for patients on airborne precautions.

4. The nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. The nurse is using open gloving to apply the sterile gloves. Which steps will the nurse take? (Select all that apply.) a. While putting on the first glove, touch only the outside surface of the glove. b. With gloved dominant hand, slip fingers underneath second glove cuff. c. Remove outer glove package by tearing the package open. d. Lay glove package on clean flat surface above waistline. e. Glove the dominant hand of the nurse first. f. After second glove is on, interlock hands.

ANS: B, D, E, F Sterile objects held below the waist are considered contaminated. Gloving the dominant hand helps to improve dexterity. Slipping the fingers underneath the second glove cuff helps to keep the gloved fingers sterile. Interlocking fingers ensures a smooth fit over the fingers. Sterile supplies are opened by carefully separating and peeling apart the sides of the package. This prevents the sterile contents from accidentally opening and touching contaminated objects. While putting on the first glove, touching only the outside surface of the glove will contaminate the sterile item; touch only the inside of the glove—the piece that will be against the skin.

2. The patient and the nurse are discussing Rickettsia rickettsii—Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Which patient statement to the nurse indicates understanding regarding the mode of transmission for this disease? a. "When camping, I will use sunscreen." b. "When camping, I will drink bottled water." c. "When camping, I will wear insect repellent." d. "When camping, I will wash my hands with hand gel."

ANS: C Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by bacteria transmitted by the bite of ticks. Wearing a repellent that is designed for repelling ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects can help in preventing transmission of this disease. Drinking plenty of uncontaminated water, wearing sunscreen, and using alcohol-based hand gels for cleaning hands are all important activities to participate in while camping, but they do not contribute to or prevent transmission of this disease.

25. The nurse is caring for a patient who has just delivered a neonate. The nurse is checking the patient for excessive vaginal drainage. Which precaution will the nurse use? a. Contact b. Droplet c. Standard d. Protective environment

ANS: C Standard precautions apply to contact with blood, body fluid, nonintact skin, and mucous membranes of all patients. Contact precautions apply to individuals with infections that can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact. Protective environment precautions apply to individuals who have undergone transplantations and gene therapy. Droplet precautions focus on diseases that are transmitted by large droplets.

23. The nurse is caring for a patient in the endoscopy area. The nurse observes the technician performing these tasks. Which observation will require the nurse to intervene? a. Washing hands after removing gloves b. Disinfecting endoscopes in the workroom c. Removing gloves to transfer the endoscope d. Placing the endoscope in a container for transfer

ANS: C Standard precautions are used to prevent and control the spread of infection. Transferring contaminated equipment without the protection of gloves can assist in the spread of microbes to inanimate objects and to the person doing the transfer; therefore, the nurse must intervene. Utilizing gloves, washing hands, covering contaminated supplies during transfer, and disinfecting equipment in the appropriate way in the appropriate places utilize principles of basic medical asepsis and standard precautions and can break the chain of infection.

15. The nurse is caring for a patient who is reporting severe foot pain due to corns. The patient has been using oval corn pads to self-treat the corns, but they seem to be getting worse. Which information will the nurse share with the patient? a. Corn pads are an adequate treatment and should be continued. b. The patient should avoid soaking the feet before using a pumice stone. c. Depending on severity, surgery may be needed to remove the corns. d. Tighter shoes would help to compress the corns and make them smaller.

ANS: C Surgical removal is necessary, depending on severity of pain and the size of the corn. Oval corn pads should be avoided because they increase pressure on the toes and reduce circulation. Warm water soaks soften corns before gentle rubbing with a callus file or pumice stone. Wider and softer shoes, especially shoes with a wider toe box, are helpful.

16. The nurse is caring for a patient in an intensive care unit who needs a bath. Which priorityaction will the nurse take to decrease the potential for a health care-associated infection? a. Use local anesthetic on reddened areas. b. Use nonallergenic tape on dressings. c. Use a chlorhexidine wash. d. Use filtered water.

ANS: C The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of chlorhexidine (CHG) bathing for patients in intensive care units, patients who are scheduled for surgery, and all patients with invasive central line catheters as part of MRSA reduction efforts. Using local anesthetics, nonallergenic tape, and filtered water does not affect the cause of a health care-associated infection by, for example, decreasing microbial counts like a CHG bath.

12. The nurse is caring for an adult patient in the clinic who has been evacuated and is a victim of flooding. The nurse teaches the patient about rest, exercise, and eating properly and how to utilize deep breathing and visualization. What is the primary rationale for the nurse's actions related to the teaching? a. Topics taught are standard information taught during health care visits. b. The patient requested this information to teach the extended family members. c. Stress for long periods of time can lead to exhaustion and decreased resistance to infection. d. These techniques will help the patient manage the pain and loss of personal belongings.

ANS: C The body responds to emotional or physical stress by the general adaptation syndrome. If stress extends for long periods of time, this can lead to exhaustion, whereby energy stores are depleted and the body has no defenses against invading organisms. Techniques of deep breathing and visualization may be helpful with pain, but they are not the primary reason. The teachings listed are not all standard interventions taught at every health care visit. There is no data to indicate the patient requested this information for the family.

10. The nurse is caring for a group of medical-surgical patients. Which patient is most at risk for developing an infection? a. A patient who is in observation for chest pain b. A patient who has been admitted with dehydration c. A patient who is recovering from a right total hip surgery d. A patient who has been admitted for stabilization of heart problems

ANS: C The patient who is recovering from a right total hip surgery has a large incision from the surgery. This break in the skin increases the likelihood of infection. Any break in the integrity of the skin and mucous membranes allows pathogens to enter and exit the body. The patient has had anesthesia, which depresses the respiratory system and has the potential to decrease the expansion of alveoli and to increase the chance of infection in the respiratory system. A patient who is having chest pain, experiencing dehydration, or being admitted with heart problems does not have open incisions that break the skin; therefore, his or her infection risk is lower.

18. The nurse is providing education about the importance of proper foot care to a patient who has diabetes mellitus. Which primary goal is the nurse trying to achieve? a. Prevention of plantar warts b. Prevention of foot fungus c. Prevention of neuropathy d. Prevention of amputation

ANS: D Foot ulceration is the most common single precursor to lower extremity amputations among persons with diabetes. Prevention of plantar warts and foot fungus are important but not the primary goal. Neuropathy is a degeneration of the peripheral nerves usually due to poor control of blood glucose levels; it is not a direct result of foot care.

40. The nurse manager is evaluating current infection control data for the intensive care unit. The nurse compares past patient data with current data to look for trends. The nurse manager examines the infection chain for possible solutions. In which order will the nurse arrange the items for the infection chain beginning with the first step? 1. A mode of transmission 2. An infectious agent or pathogen 3. A susceptible host 4. A reservoir or source for pathogen growth 5. A portal of entry to a host 6. A portal of exit from the reservoir

ANS: D For spread of infection, the chain has to be uninterrupted with an infectious agent, a reservoir and portal of exit, a mode of transmission, a portal of entry, and a susceptible host. The nurse manager is evaluating the chain of infection to determine actions that could be implemented to influence the spread of infection in the intensive care unit. Understanding the spread of infection and directing actions toward those steps have the potential to decrease infection in the setting.

14. A diabetic patient presents to the clinic for a dressing change. The wound is located on the right foot and has purulent yellow drainage. Which action will the nurse take to prevent the spread of infection? a. Position the patient comfortably on the stretcher. b. Explain the procedure for dressing change to the patient. c. Review the medication list that the patient brought from home. d. Don gloves and other appropriate personal protective equipment.

ANS: D Localized infections are most common in the skin or with mucous membrane breakdown. Wear gloves and other personal protective equipment as appropriate when examining or providing treatment to localized infected areas to create a protective barrier. Positioning the patient, explaining the procedure, and reviewing the medication list are all tasks that need to be completed, but they do not prevent the spread of infection.

21. The patient is being treated for cancer with weekly radiation therapy to the head and chemotherapy treatments. Which assessment is the priority? a. Feet b. Nail beds c. Perineum d. Oral cavity

ANS: D The oral cavity is the priority. Radiation to the head reduces salivary flow and lowers pH of saliva, leading to stomatitis and tooth decay, while chemotherapy drugs kill the normal cells lining the oral cavity, leading to ulcers and inflammation. While the feet, nail beds, and perineum are important, they are not as affected as the oral cavity with head or neck radiation and chemotherapy.