What is an infectious disease that can be transmitted directly from one person to another?

Choice A reason: This is not the best action because encouraging range of motion can worsen the symptoms and cause more damage to the nerves and blood vessels. Range of motion is the movement of the joints and muscles through their normal extent. Range of motion can help to prevent stiffness, contractures, and muscle atrophy, but it can also increase the swelling and pressure in the affected area, which can impair the circulation and sensation.

Choice B reason: This is not the best action because applying heat to the affected hand can worsen the symptoms and cause more damage to the tissues. Heat is the transfer of thermal energy from a warmer object to a cooler one. Heat can help to relax the muscles, reduce the pain, and increase the blood flow, but it can also increase the inflammation and edema in the affected area, which can compromise the oxygen and nutrient delivery to the tissues.

Choice C reason: This is the best action because removing the cast can decrease the pressure and restore the circulation and sensation to the affected area. A cast is a rigid device that immobilizes and protects a fractured or injured body part. A cast can help to align the bones, prevent displacement, and promote healing, but it can also cause complications, such as compartment syndrome, infection, or nerve damage. Compartment syndrome is a condition where the pressure inside the muscles increases to dangerous levels, causing severe pain, reduced blood flow, and tissue death. The nurse should remove the cast immediately and notify the physician if the client shows signs of compartment syndrome, such as numbness, tingling, pallor, coolness, or swelling.

Choice D reason: This is not the best action because raising the arm above the level of the heart can worsen the symptoms and cause more damage to the nerves and blood vessels. Raising the arm above the level of the heart can help to reduce the swelling and pain in the affected area, but it can also reduce the blood flow and oxygenation to the area, which can lead to ischemia, necrosis, or gangrene. The nurse should elevate the arm at or below the level of the heart and monitor the pulse, color, temperature, and sensation of the fingers.

Choice A reason: Using standard precautions is a practice that is recommended to prevent HIV transmission, because it is a set of guidelines that apply to all clients, regardless of their infection status, and that aim to prevent the exposure to blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials. Standard precautions include hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, safe handling and disposal of sharps, environmental cleaning, and respiratory hygiene.

Choice B reason: Double gloving is not a practice that is recommended to prevent HIV transmission, because it is not proven to be more effective or safer than single gloving. Double gloving is a technique that involves wearing two pairs of gloves, one over the other, which may provide some extra protection against needlestick injuries or glove punctures, but may also reduce the tactile sensitivity, dexterity, or comfort of the wearer. Double gloving is not a routine practice, but rather an option for certain situations, such as highrisk procedures, long surgeries, or known HIVpositive clients.

Choice C reason: Applying hand sanitizer to gloves during cares is not a practice that is recommended to prevent HIV transmission, because it is not appropriate or hygienic. Applying hand sanitizer to gloves during cares is a practice that can damage the integrity and effectiveness of the gloves, as the alcohol or other chemicals can degrade the material, cause holes, or reduce the fit of the gloves. Applying hand sanitizer to gloves during cares can also create a false sense of security, as the gloves may still be contaminated or ineffective. Hand sanitizer should be applied to the hands before and after wearing gloves, not to the gloves themselves.

Choice D reason: Wearing a mask within three feet of the client is not a practice that is recommended to prevent HIV transmission, because it is not necessary or relevant. Wearing a mask within three feet of the client is a practice that is part of the droplet precautions, which are used to prevent the transmission of infections that are spread by large respiratory droplets, such as influenza, pertussis, or meningitis. HIV is not transmitted by respiratory droplets, but rather by sexual contact, blood, or other body fluids. Wearing a mask within three feet of the client may not provide any protection against HIV, and may also cause stigma or discrimination.