A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is planning care for four clients. Which of the following tasks should the nurse delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?

The correct answer is choiced. “I will wear gloves when changing the client’s hospital gown.”

Choice A rationale:

Cleaning reusable equipment with isopropyl alcohol is not effective against Clostridium difficile spores. Equipment should be cleaned with a sporicidal disinfectant to ensure the removal of C.difficile spores.

Choice B rationale:

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against C. difficile spores.Hand hygiene should be performed with soap and water after contact with the client or their environment.

Choice C rationale:

Wearing a mask within 3 feet of the client is not necessary for C. difficile infection, as it is not transmitted via respiratory droplets.The primary mode of transmission is through contact with contaminated surfaces or feces.

Choice D rationale:

Wearing gloves when changing the client’s hospital gown is essential to prevent the transmission of C. difficile spores.Gloves should be worn for all contact with the client or their environment

Choice A rationale:

Scheduling the client as the last surgery of the day is not directly related to the client's latex allergy. It might not be feasible to always schedule the client last, and this action does not specifically address the client's needs related to latex exposure.

Choice B rationale:

Notifying ancillary departments of the client's latex allergy is an important step to ensure the client's safety during the surgical process. This action helps other departments prepare and prevent accidental latex exposure, which could trigger an allergic reaction in the client.

Choice C rationale:

Labeling the surgical suite as latex-free is crucial to preventing latex exposure during the surgery. It alerts all staff members entering the surgical suite about the presence of a latex-allergic patient and reminds them to take appropriate precautions.

Choice D rationale:

Providing powdered gloves for the staff's use is not recommended, as powdered gloves can actually carry latex proteins and increase the risk of latex exposure. Powdered gloves have been associated with allergic reactions, so it's important to avoid their use in a latex-sensitive environment.

Choice E rationale:

Ensuring a latex allergy cart is available is a proactive measure to have necessary equipment and supplies on hand in case of an allergic reaction. This cart would contain latex-free items and medications that can be used to manage an allergic reaction should it occur during or after surgery.