Nokea
A patient is alarmed that she has tested positive for MRSA following culture testing during her admission to the hospital. What should the nurse teach the patient about this diagnostic finding?
- A. There are promising treatments for MRSA, so this is no cause for serious concern.
- B. This doesnt mean that you have an infection; it shows that the bacteria live on one of your skin surfaces.
- C. The vast majority of patients in the hospital test positive for MRSA, but the infection doesnt normally cause serious symptoms.
- D. This finding is only preliminary, and your doctor will likely order further testing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Positive MRSA culture indicates colonization, not necessarily infection. It is not preliminary, nor is it true that most patients test positive or that treatments eliminate concern.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse places a patient in isolation. Isolation techniques have the potential to break the chain of infection by interfering with what component of the chain of infection?
- A. Mode of transmission
- B. Agent
- C. Susceptible host
- D. Portal of entry
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Isolation prevents pathogen spread by blocking the mode of transmission. It does not directly affect the agent, host, or portal of entry.
A nurse is caring for a child who was admitted to the pediatric unit with infectious diarrhea. The nurse should be alert to what assessment finding as an indicator of dehydration?
- A. Labile BP
- B. Weak pulse
- C. Fever
- D. Diaphoresis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Weak pulse is a key sign of dehydration in children, along with thirst, dry mucous membranes, and poor skin turgor. Labile BP, fever, and diaphoresis are not specific to dehydration.
A medical nurse is careful to adhere to infection control protocols, including handwashing. Which statement about handwashing supports the nurses practice?
- A. Frequent handwashing reduces transmission of pathogens from one patient to another.
- B. Wearing gloves is known to be an adequate substitute for handwashing.
- C. Bar soap is preferable to liquid soap.
- D. Waterless products should be avoided in situations where running water is unavailable.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Handwashing reduces pathogen transmission between patients, even with glove use. Bar soap can harbor bacteria, and waterless sanitizers are effective when water is unavailable.
An older adult patient tells the nurse that she had chicken pox as a child and is eager to be vaccinated against shingles. What should the nurse teach the patient about this vaccine?
- A. Vaccination against shingles is contraindicated in patients over the age of 80.
- B. Vaccination can reduce her risk of shingles by approximately 50%.
- C. Vaccination against shingles involves a series of three injections over the course of 6 months.
- D. Vaccination against shingles is only effective if preceded by a childhood varicella vaccination.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Zostavax reduces shingles risk by about 50% in adults over 60. It is a single injection, not contraindicated by age, and effective regardless of prior varicella vaccination.
What is the best rationale for health care providers receiving the influenza vaccination on a yearly basis?
- A. To decreased nurses susceptibility to health care-associated infections
- B. To decrease risk of transmission to vulnerable patients
- C. To eventually eradicate the influenza virus in the United States
- D. To prevent the emergence of drug-resistant strains of the influenza virus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Annual influenza vaccination reduces transmission to vulnerable patients. It does not prevent healthcare-associated infections, eradicate influenza, or stop drug-resistant strains.