A nurse on a medical-surgical unit suspects that several patients have Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) when they all develop watery diarrhea.
What actions should the nurse plan to take while waiting for the patients’ lab results?
Request the providers to initiate antibiotic therapy for every patient on the unit.
Perform hand hygiene with an alcohol-based agent.
Obtain stool cultures from all patients on the nursing unit.
Place all patients who have symptoms on contact precautions.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Requesting the providers to initiate antibiotic therapy for every patient on the unit is not the most appropriate action. Antibiotics should only be used when there is a confirmed bacterial infection. Overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance and can potentially trigger C. difficile infection due to disruption of normal gut flora.
Choice B rationale
While performing hand hygiene with an alcohol-based agent is important in general infection control, it is not the most effective measure against C. difficile.
C. difficile spores are resistant to destruction by alcohol-based hand rubs. Therefore, hand hygiene for C. difficile should involve washing with soap and water.
Choice C rationale
Obtaining stool cultures from all patients on the nursing unit is not the most appropriate action. Stool cultures should be obtained from patients who are symptomatic. Testing asymptomatic patients can lead to false positives and unnecessary treatment.
Choice D rationale
Placing all patients who have symptoms on contact precautions is the correct answer. Contact precautions, including the use of gloves and gowns, can prevent the spread of C. difficile. This is because C. difficile is spread via the fecal-oral route, and its spores can survive on surfaces for long periods.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Performing hand hygiene frequently and consistently is the most effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens during patient care. Hand hygiene is the single most important measure to reduce the transmission of harmful germs and prevent health care-associated infections.
Choice B rationale
Properly disposing of contaminated equipment is important in preventing the spread of pathogens, but it is not the most effective measure. While it is crucial to handle and dispose of contaminated equipment properly, hand hygiene is the most effective measure in preventing the spread of pathogens.
Choice C rationale
Discarding used syringes in appropriate containers is a standard safety measure in healthcare settings, but it is not the most effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens during patient care. While it is important for preventing needlestick injuries and the spread of bloodborne pathogens, hand hygiene is the most effective measure in preventing the spread of pathogens.
Choice D rationale
Changing soiled linens daily for patients with draining wounds is a part of standard wound care and infection control, but it is not the most effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens during patient care. Hand hygiene remains the most effective measure in preventing the spread of pathogens.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Dark-colored urine is a common symptom of dehydration. When a person is dehydrated, their kidneys try to conserve water by concentrating the urine, which can make it appear darker. Choice B rationale
High blood pressure is not typically associated with dehydration. In fact, dehydration can sometimes lead to low blood pressure due to a decrease in blood volume.
Choice C rationale
Distended neck veins are not typically a symptom of dehydration. They are more commonly associated with conditions that cause fluid overload, such as heart failure.
Choice D rationale
Moist skin is not typically a symptom of dehydration. In fact, one of the symptoms of severe dehydration can be dry, cool skin.
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