A nurse has completed care procedures for a client who requires airborne precautions. Which of the following items of personal protective equipment (PPE) should the nurse remove first?

B. Post NO SMOKING signs in a prominent location in the home:
Oxygen supports combustion, making smoking or exposure to open flames highly dangerous in an oxygen-enriched environment. Posting NO SMOKING signs serves as a reminder to everyone in the household to avoid smoking or using open flames near the oxygen source.

C. Notify local fire department:
It's crucial to inform the local fire department that a client is using home oxygen therapy. This ensures that emergency responders are aware of the presence of oxygen in the home in case of a fire or emergency situation.

E. Check the tops of the ears for skin breakdown:
The nasal cannula can cause pressure on the tops of the ears, potentially leading to skin breakdown, especially with prolonged use. Checking for skin breakdown and providing appropriate skin care helps prevent complications and ensures the client's comfort.

A. Verify the oxygen flow rate every other day:
While it's essential to ensure that the oxygen equipment is functioning properly and that the prescribed flow rate is appropriate for the client's needs, checking it every other day may not be necessary unless there are specific concerns or changes in the client's condition.

D. Apply petroleum ointment to nares if they become dry and irritated:
While it's common for the nasal passages to become dry with oxygen therapy, applying petroleum ointment may not be recommended without consulting the healthcare provider first, as it can interfere with oxygen delivery and increase the risk of infection.

A) The client reports numbness at the site: Numbness at the insertion site is not a typical finding of infection. It may indicate nerve damage or another issue but is not specific to infection.

B) Purulent drainage noted from the site: Purulent drainage, characterized by pus-like discharge, is a common sign of infection at the insertion site of an intravenous catheter. It suggests the presence of bacteria and inflammation at the site.

C) Skin over the site is sloughing: Sloughing of the skin may occur with severe tissue damage but is not specific to infection. It could indicate other complications such as tissue necrosis or chemical irritation.

D) The vein appears cord-like: A cord-like appearance of the vein, known as thrombophlebitis, can occur with or without infection. It indicates inflammation and clot formation within the vein, which can be a complication of intravenous catheter insertion, but it does not specifically indicate infection.