A client asks a nurse, “Why do I have to remove my nail polish in order for my pulse oximetry to be monitored?” Which is the best response by the nurse?

A back massage is a type of cutaneous stimulation that can help reduce pain by activating the gate control theory of pain. Cutaneous stimulation is a non-pharmacological intervention that can be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) or nursing assistive personnel (NAP) under the supervision of a registered nurse.

Choice A is wrong because assessing pain status requires critical thinking and clinical judgment, which are skills that only registered nurses have. Pain assessment is not a task that can be delegated to UAP/NAP.

Choice B is wrong because administering a placebo is a type of pharmacological intervention that involves giving a substance that has no therapeutic effect. Placebos are unethical and ineffective for pain management and should not be used by any health care provider.

Choice C is wrong because reviewing a pain diary involves evaluating the patient’s response to pain interventions and adjusting the plan of care accordingly. This is a complex task that requires nursing knowledge and skills and cannot be delegated to UAP/NAP.

Remove gloves, wash hands, remove face shield, gown, mask, and wash hands again. This is because gloves are the most contaminated piece of PPE and should be removed first to avoid touching other parts of the body or environment with them. Washing hands after removing gloves is also important to reduce the risk of infection. Face shields, gowns, and masks should be removed in that order, as they are less contaminated than gloves and can be handled with clean hands. Washing hands again after removing all PPE is the final step to ensure hygiene.

Choice A is wrong because it does not include washing hands after removing gloves, which is a crucial step to prevent contamination. It also removes the gown before the gloves, which can cause the gown to touch the face or hair and contaminate them.

Choice B is wrong because it does not include washing hands between removing gloves and gown, which can transfer germs from the gloves to the gown and then to the face or hair when removing the face shield and mask.

Choice D is wrong because it does not include washing hands between removing gloves and gown, which can transfer germs from the gloves to the gown and then to the face or hair when removing the face shield and mask. It also removes the gown before the face shield, which can cause the gown to touch the face or hair and contaminate it.

Normal ranges for PPE removal are not applicable as different types of PPE may require different methods of removal. However, some general principles are to remove PPE in a way that minimizes contact with contaminated surfaces, perform hand hygiene frequently, and dispose of PPE properly.