A nurse is caring for a client who has an abdominal surgical incision and notes an evisceration. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A) "My child has some swelling around her eyelids and mouth."

In this scenario, the parent reporting swelling around the toddler's eyelids and mouth after receiving immunizations is the nurse's priority concern. Swelling around the eyes and mouth can be indicative of a possible allergic reaction, such as angioedema or anaphylaxis, which can be a serious and life-threatening condition. Immediate assessment and intervention are needed to address this potential allergic reaction.

The other findings, while important, are not as immediately concerning:

B) A temperature of 100.7 degrees Fahrenheit is a mild fever, which can be expected as a side effect of some vaccines. It may not be the nurse's immediate priority, but it should still be monitored.

C) A toddler's decreased feeding of 2 ounces during her last feeding may be related to her discomfort or fever after immunizations. It's essential to monitor this but not an immediate priority.

D) Crying when touched at the injection site is a common response to immunizations and, while uncomfortable for the child, is not typically a cause for immediate concern. However, it should still be addressed with comfort measures.

The correct answer isChoice D, remove the protective gown while in the client’s room.

Choice A rationale: Wearing a face shield is not specifically required for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) precautions. CDI is primarily spread through the fecal-oral route, and while a face shield could provide protection against splashes during procedures that might generate them, it is not a standard precaution for entering the room of a patient with CDI.

Choice B rationale: Placing a mask on the client during transport is not a standard precaution for CDI. While it is important to prevent the spread of infection, CDI is not transmitted through the respiratory route, so a mask for the client would not be necessary in this context.

Choice C rationale: Using an alcohol-based hand rub is generally recommended for hand hygiene. However, for CDI, alcohol-based hand rubs are not effective against C. difficile spores. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing hands with soap and water after caring for patients with CDI to physically remove the spores from the hands.

Choice D rationale: Removing the protective gown while still in the client’s room is the correct action to prevent the spread of contamination. Gowns should be removed before leaving the patient’s room to avoid dispersing contaminants to other areas of the healthcare facility.

Infection control for CDI involves several specific actions due to the resilience of C. difficile spores. These spores can survive on surfaces for a long time and are resistant to many common disinfectants, which is why environmental cleaning and disinfection with agents effective against C. difficile, such as bleach-based products, are crucial. Additionally, healthcare workers should use gloves and gowns when entering the rooms of patients with CDI and should ensure that these are disposed of correctly after use.