A nurse is caring for a patient who has a urinary tract infection (UTI). What type of personal protective equipment (PPE) should the nurse wear when performing urinary catheter care for this patient?

Choice A reason: This is the correct answer, as the infectious agent is the microorganism that causes the infection, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.

Choice B reason: This is not the correct answer, as the reservoir is the second link in the chain of infection. It is the place where the infectious agent lives and grows, such as humans, animals, plants, soil, or water.

Choice C reason: This is not the correct answer, as the portal of exit is the third link in the chain of infection. It is the way that the infectious agent leaves the reservoir, such as through body fluids, skin, mucous membranes, or respiratory tract.

Choice D reason: This is not the correct answer, as the mode of transmission is the fourth link in the chain of infection. It is the way that the infectious agent travels from one host to another, such as through direct or indirect contact, droplet, airborne, vector, or vehicle transmission.

Choice A reason: This is the correct answer, as standard precautions are the minimum infection control practices that should be used for all patients, regardless of their diagnosis or infection status. They include hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, safe injection practices, safe handling of potentially contaminated equipment or surfaces, and respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. A private room may also help reduce the exposure of other patients or health care workers to the infectious agent.

Choice B reason: This is not the correct answer, as contact precautions are additional infection control practices that should be used for patients who have infections that can be spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or their environment. They include wearing gloves and gowns, using dedicated equipment, and limiting patient movement outside the room. A semi-private room may also increase the risk of cross-contamination between patients.

Choice C reason: This is not the correct answer, as airborne precautions are additional infection control practices that should be used for patients who have infections that can be spread by small droplets that remain in the air for long periods of time and can be inhaled by others. They include wearing a respirator, placing the patient in a negative pressure room with an air filtration system, and limiting patient movement outside the room.

Choice D reason: This is not the correct answer, as droplet precautions are additional infection control practices that should be used for patients who have infections that can be spread by large droplets that are generated by coughing, sneezing, or talking and can be transmitted to others who are within 3 feet of the patient. They include wearing a surgical mask, placing the patient in a private room or cohorting with other patients with the same infection, and limiting patient movement outside the room. A positive pressure room may also increase the risk of spreading the infection to other areas of the hospital.