After teaching a client and family strategies to prevent infection, which statement by the client would indicate effective learning has occurred?
“We will use antimicrobial soap and hot water to wash our hands at least three times per day.”
“We must wash or peel all raw fruits and vegetables before eating.”
“A wound or sore is not infected unless we see it draining pus.”
“We should not share toothbrushes but it is OK to share towels and washcloths.”
The Correct Answer is B
Preventing infection at home is a vital aspect of client and family education, especially for those recovering from illness, surgery, or living with compromised immune systems. Effective infection prevention involves proper hand hygiene, safe food handling, wound care, and avoiding the sharing of personal items.
Rationale for correct answer:
B. “We must wash or peel all raw fruits and vegetables before eating.” Raw fruits and vegetables can carry pathogens from soil, water, or handling. Washing or peeling them reduces the risk of foodborne illness, especially for those with weakened immunity.
Rationale for incorrect answers:
A. “We will use antimicrobial soap and hot water to wash our hands at least three times per day.” While hand hygiene is crucial, antimicrobial soap is not necessary and may contribute to skin irritation and antimicrobial resistance. Also, washing only three times per day is inadequate.
C. “A wound or sore is not infected unless we see it draining pus.” Infection may be present before pus appears. Early signs include redness, warmth, swelling, and pain. Waiting for pus means missing early intervention.
D. “We should not share toothbrushes but it is OK to share towels and washcloths.” While not sharing toothbrushes is correct, towels and washcloths can also harbor bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Sharing them increases the risk of skin infections or cross-contamination.
Take home points:
- Clients and families must understand that signs of infection can be subtle.
- Early preventive practices-like frequent handwashing and avoiding shared personal items-are more protective than reactive behaviors.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A,C,E,D,B
Explanation
Correct doffing (removal) of PPE is just as important as donning it. Most PPE surfaces are contaminated after client care; removing them in the wrong order greatly increases the risk of self-contamination and transmission to others. Move from clean to dirty.
Rationale for correct answer:
Step 1: Remove and dispose of gloves.
Gloves are typically the most contaminated item. Removing them first immediately lowers the bioburden on your hands (while using proper glove-removal technique to avoid touching the outside surface).
Step 2: Remove eyewear or goggles.
Eye protection may be contaminated by droplets/splashes. With gloves off, your (now cleaner) hands are less likely to contaminate your face when taking goggles off by the side arms/strap.
Step 3: Untie waist and neck strings of gown. Remove gown, rolling it onto itself without touching the contaminated side.
The gown’s front and sleeves are contaminated. Untie, then peel it away from the body, turning the contaminated surface inward to contain pathogens.
Step 4: Untie bottom and then top mask strings and remove from face.
Masks (or respirators) are removed last to maintain respiratory protection while you’re still handling other potentially contaminated PPE. Untying the bottom first, then top prevents the mask from falling forward against your face.
Step 5: Perform hand hygiene.
Always the final step to remove any microorganisms acquired during PPE removal.
Take home points:
- Doff the dirtiest first (gloves) and finish with hand hygiene.
- Never touch the contaminated fronts of gowns, masks, or goggles; handle by clean ties, straps, or inside surfaces only.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges that can be caused by various infectious agents, including bacteria and viruses. When caused by organisms like Neisseria meningitidis, it is highly contagious and can spread via respiratory droplets.
Rationale for correct answer:
B. Droplet Precautions: Bacterial meningitis (e.g., meningococcal) spreads through respiratory droplets, especially in the early stages of illness. Droplet precautions involve wearing a surgical mask when within 3 feet of the patient and isolating the patient in a private room.
Rationale for incorrect answers:
A. Reverse isolation (also known as protective isolation) is used to protect immunocompromised patients from external pathogens, not to prevent the spread of infection from the patient.
C. While standard precautions (e.g., hand hygiene, gloves) are always used, they are not sufficient alone for clients with droplet-spread infections like meningitis. Additional droplet precautions are required to reduce the risk of respiratory transmission.
D. Contact precautions are used for infections transmitted through direct or indirect contact with the patient or environment (e.g., C. difficile or MRSA). They are not appropriate for respiratory illnesses like meningitis.
Take home points:
- Clients with bacterial meningitis must be placed on droplet precautions.
- Understanding the transmission route of infections helps determine the right type of isolation precautions.
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