When the nurse is preparing a sterile field using the drape provided in a sterile pack, the nurse would only touch which part of the sterile drape?

The correct answer is D. Determine the client's ability to help with the transfer.

Choice A rationale:

While obtaining a walker might be helpful, it's not the first step. The nurse needs to assess the client's ability to assist with the transfer before deciding on the most appropriate aid.

Choice B rationale:

Calling for additional staff may be necessary, but this should come after assessing the client's ability to help with the transfer.

Choice C rationale:

Using a transfer belt is a good practice for safe transfers, but again, the nurse must first determine if the client can assist. This ensures the appropriate use of resources and techniques.

Choice D rationale:

Assessing the client's ability to help with the transfer is the first step. This assessment will guide the nurse in choosing the safest and most appropriate method for transferring the client, considering their capabilities and safety.

Choice A rationale:

Standard precautions, as established by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), are to be used for any client, regardless of whether an infection has been identified. This means that healthcare providers, including nurses, must apply standard precautions in the care of all patients to prevent the spread of infections. The rationale behind this choice is based on the fundamental principle of infection control: it is not always possible to identify patients who may be carrying harmful pathogens. Some patients may not show visible signs of infection or may be in the incubation period of a disease, during which they are contagious but not symptomatic. Therefore, applying standard precautions universally helps to create a safe healthcare environment for both patients and healthcare providers. Standard precautions include practices such as hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and masks, safe injection practices, and respiratory hygiene.

Choice B rationale:

This choice incorrectly specifies the mode of transmission for using standard precautions. Standard precautions are not limited to cases where the infection is transmitted on air currents. Airborne precautions are used for diseases that spread via small droplets in the air, such as tuberculosis and measles. Standard precautions, on the other hand, cover a broader range of infections and are applied to all patients.

Choice C rationale:

This choice incorrectly narrows down the usage of standard precautions to cases where the infection spreads via moist droplets. While it is true that standard precautions include measures to prevent the transmission of infections through respiratory droplets, they are not limited to this mode of transmission. Standard precautions encompass various modes of transmission, including contact with blood and other body fluids, as well as contact with contaminated surfaces or items.

Choice D rationale:

This choice wrongly states that standard precautions are only used when there is an infection spread by indirect contact with an organism. Standard precautions include both direct and indirect contact with patients and their environment. It is not limited to specific types of infections or modes of transmission.