The nurse is aware that the patient most at risk for a health care-associated infection (HAI) would be the:
45-year-old in traction for a fractured femur.
56-year-old with pneumonia who is receiving oxygen by mask.
70-year-old with congestive heart failure attached to a monitor.
65-year-old with a Foley catheter.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
A 45-year-old in traction for a fractured femur is at risk for infection due to immobility and potential surgical wounds, but not as high as someone with a Foley catheter.
Choice B rationale
A 56-year-old with pneumonia receiving oxygen is at risk for respiratory infections, but the presence of a Foley catheter significantly increases the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
Choice C rationale
A 70-year-old with congestive heart failure attached to a monitor has a risk of infection due to potential breaks in skin integrity, but not as high as someone with a Foley catheter.
Choice D rationale
A 65-year-old with a Foley catheter is at the highest risk for health care-associated infections because the catheter provides a direct pathway for pathogens into the urinary tract, increasing infection risk.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While disposable gloves can reduce the transmission of pathogens, they should not replace proper hand hygiene. Gloves should be used when handling bodily fluids or when contact with infectious materials is likely, not necessarily for feeding an infant.
Choice B rationale
Keeping fingernails short and avoiding rings reduces the risk of harboring pathogens under nails and jewelry, which can be difficult to clean properly. This measure helps prevent the transmission of infections.
Choice C rationale
Washing hands up to the elbows is not necessary for routine home care and can cause skin irritation. Hand washing should focus on the hands and wrists, and the duration should be at least 20 seconds.
Choice D rationale
Home care still requires strict attention to medical asepsis, especially when caring for infants. Hand hygiene is necessary not only after toileting or handling soiled diapers but also before and after preparing food, feeding, and other activities.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Symptoms of an infection may not always appear within 48 hours. The incubation period varies depending on the infectious agent and can range from hours to weeks, during which the person may not show any signs of illness.
Choice B rationale
A person in the incubation period does not exhibit symptoms and, therefore, is unlikely to seek medical attention for symptom relief. Medical attention is usually sought when symptoms manifest and impact the person's well-being.
Choice C rationale
During the incubation period, the person can transmit the disease to others even if they do not feel ill. This period involves the replication of the pathogen within the host, and the person may be contagious without knowing it.
Choice D rationale
Identifiable signs of a specific illness appear during the symptomatic phase, not during the incubation period. The incubation period is the time between exposure to the pathogen and the appearance of initial symptoms.
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