Which intervention reduces reservoirs of infection in a healthcare setting?
- A. Placing capped needles and syringes in puncture-resistant containers
- B. Keeping bedside table surfaces clean and dry
- C. Changing dressings that become wet or soiled
- D. Placing tissues and soiled dressings in paper bags
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Placing capped needles and syringes in puncture-resistant containers is the correct intervention to reduce infection reservoirs in healthcare settings. This practice helps prevent accidental needle-stick injuries and contains potentially infectious materials properly. Keeping bedside table surfaces clean and dry (choice B) is essential for preventing the spread of infections but does not directly address reducing reservoirs of infection. Changing dressings that become wet or soiled (choice C) is important for wound care but does not specifically target infection reservoirs. Placing tissues and soiled dressings in paper bags (choice D) is a proper waste disposal practice but does not directly reduce reservoirs of infection in a healthcare setting.
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A client is preparing for surgery wearing a necklace. What is the appropriate action?
- A. Remove the necklace and place it in a drawer
- B. Tape the necklace to the patient's skin
- C. Ask the patient for permission to lock it in a safe
- D. Ask the family to hold onto the necklace
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The appropriate action when a client is wearing a necklace before surgery is to ask the patient for permission to lock it in a safe. This is in line with hospital policy to secure valuables before entering surgery. Choice A is incorrect because simply placing the necklace in a drawer may not be secure. Choice B is incorrect as taping the necklace to the patient's skin can cause skin irritation and is not a standard practice. Choice D is incorrect because the responsibility for securing valuables typically lies with the healthcare team, not the patient's family.
Which action by the nurse demonstrates effective infection control measures?
- A. Perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact.
- B. Wear gloves when administering medications.
- C. Dispose of used equipment in designated containers.
- D. Wear a mask when interacting with the patient.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact. Effective hand hygiene is a fundamental infection control measure that helps prevent the spread of pathogens. Wearing gloves when administering medications (choice B) is important for protecting both the patient and the nurse but is not a direct demonstration of infection control. Disposing of used equipment in designated containers (choice C) is more related to proper waste management than infection control. Wearing a mask when interacting with the patient (choice D) is essential in certain situations, but hand hygiene is a more universal and critical practice for infection control.
The nurse is performing hand hygiene before assisting a healthcare provider with insertion of a chest tube. While washing hands, the nurse touches the sink. Which action will the nurse take next?
- A. Repeat handwashing using antiseptic soap.
- B. Inform the healthcare provider and recruit another nurse to assist.
- C. Extend the handwashing procedure to 5 minutes.
- D. Rinse and dry hands and begin assisting the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The sink is considered a contaminated area. When hand hygiene is compromised during the process, it is essential to repeat handwashing using antiseptic soap to ensure proper hygiene. Choice B is incorrect because the situation can be managed by proper handwashing. Choice C is incorrect as extending the handwashing procedure to 5 minutes is not necessary in this scenario. Choice D is incorrect as the hands need to be properly cleaned before assisting the healthcare provider.
A healthcare provider is assessing a patient with dehydration. Which finding indicates the patient's condition is worsening?
- A. Dry mucous membranes.
- B. Tachycardia and low blood pressure.
- C. Bradycardia and shallow respirations.
- D. Clear lung sounds.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tachycardia and low blood pressure are indicative of worsening dehydration in a patient. Tachycardia is the body's compensatory mechanism to maintain cardiac output in response to decreased intravascular volume, while low blood pressure reflects inadequate perfusion due to decreased fluid levels. Bradycardia and shallow respirations are not typical findings in worsening dehydration, and clear lung sounds do not directly correlate with the severity of dehydration.
What is the most appropriate action for a healthcare provider to take when a patient is at risk for falls?
- A. Place the call light within the patient's reach.
- B. Apply a yellow fall risk bracelet to the patient.
- C. Assist the patient when ambulating.
- D. Ensure the patient's room is well-lit.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to apply a yellow fall risk bracelet to the patient. This action helps alert staff to the patient's increased risk of falling, prompting them to implement appropriate safety measures and precautions. Placing the call light within reach (choice A) is generally important but does not specifically address fall risk. Assisting the patient when ambulating (choice C) is important but may not be sufficient alone to prevent falls. Ensuring the patient's room is well-lit (choice D) is also crucial for patient safety but does not directly address the patient's fall risk status.