A nurse is attending a quality improvement meeting. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first when initiating a quality improvement program to address health care-associated infections?
Identify current infection rates from facility data.
Incorporate the process change into daily practice within the facility.
Select a potential intervention to lower the current infection rate.
Determine if the implemented change has lowered the current infection rate.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Identify current infection rates from facility data:
This is the correct answer. Before implementing any changes, it is crucial to assess the current state of infection rates within the facility. This data serves as a baseline to measure the effectiveness of interventions.
B. Incorporate the process change into daily practice within the facility:
This step comes after identifying the current infection rates. Implementing changes without understanding the baseline infection rates may not effectively address the issue.
C. Select a potential intervention to lower the current infection rate:
While selecting an intervention is a crucial step, it should follow the identification of current infection rates. Interventions should be evidence-based and tailored to the specific issues identified.
D. Determine if the implemented change has lowered the current infection rate:
This step occurs after the intervention has been implemented. It involves ongoing monitoring and evaluation to determine the impact of the changes on infection rates.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C","D"]
Explanation
Ensure the client wears nonskid slippers when walking around the house.
Explanation: Nonskid slippers provide better traction and stability, reducing the risk of slipping.
B.Attach full-length side rails to the client's bed.
Explanation: Side rails can pose a risk of entrapment and may not prevent falls. The use of side rails is associated with safety concerns, and their use should be carefully evaluated.
C.Install a raised toilet seat in the client's bathroom.
Explanation: A raised toilet seat makes it easier for the client to sit down and stand up, reducing the risk of falls in the bathroom.
D.Encourage an annual review of the medications the client is taking.
Explanation: Medication reviews help identify drugs that may increase the risk of falls or interactions that could affect balance or cognitive function.
E.Place throw rugs on uncarpeted floors in the client's home.
Explanation: Throw rugs can be tripping hazards, especially for older adults with mobility issues. It's safer to have clear, unobstructed pathways in the home.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. A staff member places a midstream urine sample in a specimen refrigerator after collecting it: This action is appropriate as long as the specimen is labeled correctly and stored at the correct temperature. Proper handling of specimens is essential for accurate testing and does not represent an infection control hazard.
B. A staff member wipes a countertop with chlorhexidine solution to clean the area following a blood spill: This action is appropriate for cleaning a contaminated surface. Chlorhexidine is an effective disinfectant for blood spills. Therefore, this action does not represent an infection control hazard.
C. A nurse uses alcohol-based antiseptic to clean his hands after talking with a client who has varicella zoster: While alcohol-based antiseptics are effective for most pathogens, varicella zosteris primarily spread through direct contact and airborne transmission. It is recommended to wash hands with soap and water after caring for a patient with varicella zoster, especially if hands are visibly soiled. This action may not adequately control the infection hazard.
D. A nurse pours sterile 0.9% sodium chloride irrigation solution on an open pressure wound prior to collecting a specimen for culture: This action is appropriate as long as sterile technique is maintained. Using sterile saline for irrigation is standard practice to minimize the risk of introducing pathogens before specimen collection. Therefore, this action does not represent an infection control hazard.
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