A nurse on a pediatric unit is caring for a toddler who has poor dietary intake. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A) Dampened clothes are used for dusting the area: Using dampened clothes for dusting can help minimize the spread of dust and particulate matter in the environment. As long as the cloth is clean and properly disinfected, this action is not typically a source of infection. This is generally a safer approach for cleaning and does not pose an immediate infection risk.

B) Waste containers are lined with: While the phrasing is incomplete, if waste containers are lined properly with appropriate liners and are disposed of regularly, they should not serve as a significant source of infection. Waste disposal is important, but a properly lined container reduces the risk of contamination.

C) Soiled linens are placed on the floor: Placing soiled linens on the floor is a significant source of potential infection for immunocompromised clients. Floors can harbor bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, and placing soiled linens there increases the likelihood of cross-contamination. The linens should be handled in a way that prevents contact with unclean surfaces to avoid spreading infection.

D) Uncapped sharps are put in a puncture-resistant container: A puncture-resistant container is designed to safely contain sharps such as needles, scalpels, or other sharp objects, minimizing the risk of injury. If sharps are uncapped, however, they could present a risk of needle-stick injury or contamination. However, the main risk comes from improper disposal, not the container itself. Proper disposal in an appropriately designed container is essential to minimizing infection risks.

A) Patient care technician: While a patient care technician (PCT) is an important part of the healthcare team, their role generally focuses on providing direct patient care tasks such as monitoring vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living, and supporting the nursing staff. They do not have the expertise to address complex medication interactions, so they are not the appropriate referral in this scenario.

B) Psychologist: A psychologist focuses on providing mental health support, including therapy and counseling. While medication interactions may be of concern in patients receiving psychiatric medications, a psychologist does not typically have the medical knowledge to assess or manage pharmacological interactions. The nurse would not make a referral to a psychologist for this issue.

C) Social worker: Social workers are important for addressing the social and emotional needs of patients, including helping with care coordination, support, and resources. However, they are not trained to evaluate or address medication interactions. This issue would be outside of their scope of practice.

D) Advanced practice nurse: An advanced practice nurse (APN), such as a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist, has advanced training in diagnosing, managing, and prescribing medications. They are the most appropriate team member to assess the potential interactions of the client’s medications and make any necessary adjustments to their medication regimen. The nurse should refer the client to an APN for expertise in this area.