The essential core of nursing practice is to deliver holistic, patient-centered care. This includes assessment and evaluation, providing a variety of interventions, patient and caregiver teaching, and being a member of the interprofessional healthcare team.

Choice A: Hyponatremia - Dehydration
Hyponatremia occurs when the sodium levels in the blood are abnormally low. While dehydration can contribute to hyponatremia, it is not the most common cause. Hyponatremia is more frequently caused by conditions that lead to an excess of water in the body, diluting the sodium levels. These conditions include heart failure, kidney disease, and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).
Choice B: Hypomagnesemia - Chronic alcoholism
This is a correct pairing. Hypomagnesemia, or low magnesium levels in the blood, is often associated with chronic alcoholism. Alcoholism can lead to poor dietary intake of magnesium, increased urinary excretion of magnesium, and gastrointestinal losses due to vomiting and diarrhea. These factors contribute to the development of hypomagnesemia in individuals with chronic alcoholism.
Choice C: Hyperkalemia - Kidney failure
This is also a correct pairing. Hyperkalemia, or high potassium levels in the blood, is commonly caused by kidney failure. The kidneys are responsible for excreting excess potassium from the body. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, they cannot remove potassium efficiently, leading to its accumulation in the blood. Other causes of hyperkalemia include certain medications, such as potassium-sparing diuretics, and conditions that cause cellular breakdown, such as rhabdomyolysis.

Choice A: Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection

Monitoring for signs and symptoms of infection is a fundamental strategy in infection prevention. Early detection of infections allows for timely intervention, which can prevent the spread of pathogens and reduce the severity of the infection. Common signs and symptoms include fever, redness, swelling, pain, and discharge. Regular monitoring helps healthcare providers identify infections early and take appropriate actions, such as isolating the patient or starting treatment.

Choice B: Provide all patients with bottled water

Providing all patients with bottled water is not a standard infection prevention strategy. While ensuring access to clean drinking water is important, it is not specifically aimed at preventing infections. In healthcare settings, tap water is usually safe to drink if it meets regulatory standards. Bottled water may be provided in certain situations, such as during an outbreak of waterborne pathogens, but it is not a routine infection prevention measure.

Choice C: Provide education on infection prevention

Providing education on infection prevention is crucial for both healthcare providers and patients. Education helps individuals understand how infections spread and what measures they can take to prevent them. This includes proper hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and the importance of vaccinations. Educating patients and staff can significantly reduce the incidence of healthcare-associated infections by promoting adherence to infection control practices.

Choice D: Request an antibiotic order for a febrile patient

Requesting an antibiotic order for a febrile patient is not an infection prevention strategy but rather a treatment approach. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, not to prevent them. Overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, making it crucial to use them judiciously and only when necessary. Infection prevention focuses on measures to prevent the occurrence of infections rather than treating them once they occur.

Choice E: Create a clean, safe environment

Creating a clean, safe environment is essential for infection prevention in healthcare settings. This involves regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, proper waste disposal, and maintaining hygiene standards. A clean environment reduces the risk of healthcare-associated infections by minimizing the presence of pathogens. Effective cleaning protocols and environmental controls are critical components of infection prevention strategies.