A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who is malnourished and states, ‘’I refuse to eat right now. It goes against my beliefs.’’ Which of the following responses should nurse make?

A) Dampened clothes are used for dusting the area: Using dampened clothes for dusting can help minimize the spread of dust and particulate matter in the environment. As long as the cloth is clean and properly disinfected, this action is not typically a source of infection. This is generally a safer approach for cleaning and does not pose an immediate infection risk.

B) Waste containers are lined with: While the phrasing is incomplete, if waste containers are lined properly with appropriate liners and are disposed of regularly, they should not serve as a significant source of infection. Waste disposal is important, but a properly lined container reduces the risk of contamination.

C) Soiled linens are placed on the floor: Placing soiled linens on the floor is a significant source of potential infection for immunocompromised clients. Floors can harbor bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, and placing soiled linens there increases the likelihood of cross-contamination. The linens should be handled in a way that prevents contact with unclean surfaces to avoid spreading infection.

D) Uncapped sharps are put in a puncture-resistant container: A puncture-resistant container is designed to safely contain sharps such as needles, scalpels, or other sharp objects, minimizing the risk of injury. If sharps are uncapped, however, they could present a risk of needle-stick injury or contamination. However, the main risk comes from improper disposal, not the container itself. Proper disposal in an appropriately designed container is essential to minimizing infection risks.

A) Open the fireplace dampers in the day room:
Opening the fireplace dampers in the event of an external chemical disaster would not be appropriate. In fact, this could allow toxic air or chemicals to enter the facility. It is important to seal off ventilation points that might allow the chemicals to enter, such as windows, doors, and any other openings, rather than opening the dampers.

B) Move clients to a room above ground with few windows:
In the event of an external chemical disaster, moving clients to a room above ground with few windows is a key safety measure. Rooms that are above ground level tend to be safer in such situations because chemicals may settle at ground level, increasing exposure risks to those below ground. A room with few windows is also important because it minimizes potential entry points for toxic substances from outside. The focus is on containing the air supply and limiting exposure to harmful agents.

C) Turn on fans in the facility to circulate air:
Turning on fans in the facility during a chemical disaster could worsen the situation by spreading toxic air or chemicals throughout the building. Fans are generally used to circulate air, but in this context, they would not be helpful and could potentially increase exposure to harmful substances. Instead, the focus should be on reducing airflow from the outside and sealing off the building.

D) Cover the electrical outlets with wet towels:
Covering electrical outlets with wet towels is not an effective response to an external chemical disaster. While wet towels can be useful in some scenarios for filtering or protecting from certain substances, in a chemical disaster, the priority is to ensure proper ventilation control and to protect from airborne chemicals by sealing the room. Electrical outlets should be covered for safety only when there is a risk of electrical hazards, but not necessarily in the case of a chemical disaster unless there is specific concern about sparks or fire.