Which of the following interventions would best assist the nurse in breaking the chain of infection for all clients?

A. Perform oral hygiene at least every 2 hours:

Regular oral care is essential to maintain oral health, prevent infections, and provide comfort. When a client is NPO, and especially if they are weak or drowsy, the nurse should perform oral care at least every 2 hours to keep the oral cavity moist, reduce the risk of infection, and provide comfort.

B. Client must be supine with the head of the bed below 30 degrees:

Keeping the head of the bed elevated to at least 30 degrees is important for preventing aspiration and promoting respiratory function. This position is not specific to oral care but is a general guideline for managing clients at risk for aspiration.

C. Use alcohol-based mouth rinse with oral swab:

Alcohol-based mouth rinses can be drying and may not be suitable for a client who is NPO, as they might contribute to further dryness of the oral mucosa. Non-alcohol-based mouth rinses or moistened oral swabs are often preferred.

D. Assist the client with oral care by brushing their teeth twice daily:

While regular oral care is important, the frequency of twice daily brushing may not be sufficient for a weak, drowsy client, especially if they are NPO. Oral care should be performed more frequently to maintain oral hygiene.

A. Use standard precautions in caring for all clients:

Standard precautions involve applying infection prevention practices to all clients, regardless of their known or suspected infectious status. This includes hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and safe injection practices. Standard precautions are designed to prevent the transmission of microorganisms and break the chain of infection.

B. Place all post-surgical clients in contact isolation:

Contact isolation is typically used for clients with known or suspected infections that can be spread through direct or indirect contact. Placing all post-surgical clients in contact isolation may not be necessary unless there is evidence of a specific infectious condition.

C. Order IV antibiotics for all clients with sacral pressure wounds:

Ordering antibiotics is a specific treatment for bacterial infections but does not address the broader approach of breaking the chain of infection for all clients.

D. Limit visitations to 2 people a day for each client:

While limiting visitations can reduce the risk of introducing infections, it does not address the nurse's direct care practices and adherence to infection prevention measures.