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 patient requires assistance to stand from a sitting position. Which action by the nurse ensures patient safety?
- A. Allow the patient to pull up on the nurse's arm.
- B. Place a gait belt around the patient for support.
- C. Have the patient push off the chair with their hands.
- D. Ask the patient to lift themselves up without support.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Placing a gait belt around the patient for support is the safest option when assisting a patient to stand from a sitting position. This belt provides stability and support, reducing the risk of falls or injuries during the transfer. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Allowing the patient to pull up on the nurse's arm (Choice A) may lead to instability and compromise safety. Having the patient push off the chair with their hands (Choice C) might not provide sufficient support, especially for patients who require assistance. Asking the patient to lift themselves up without support (Choice D) can be dangerous and increase the risk of falls.
A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure who has developed pulmonary edema. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Administer a diuretic as prescribed.
- B. Place the patient in a high Fowler's position.
- C. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula.
- D. Monitor the patient's lung sounds every 2 hours.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to place the patient in a high Fowler's position. This position helps improve lung expansion and oxygenation in cases of pulmonary edema by reducing venous return to the heart and enhancing respiratory mechanics. Administering a diuretic (Choice A) can be important but is not the priority over positioning in this situation. Administering oxygen (Choice C) is essential, but the priority action for improving oxygenation is the positioning of the patient. Monitoring lung sounds (Choice D) is crucial for ongoing assessment but is not the priority action when the patient is in distress with pulmonary edema.
A patient recovering from a stroke has difficulty swallowing. Which action should the nurse prioritize?
- A. Begin feeding the patient soft solids.
- B. Place the patient on NPO (nothing by mouth) status.
- C. Provide ice chips to help soothe the throat.
- D. Start the patient on a clear liquid diet.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to place the patient on NPO (nothing by mouth) status. Patients recovering from a stroke with difficulty swallowing are at high risk for aspiration, which can lead to serious complications like aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, the priority is to keep the patient on NPO until a thorough evaluation by a healthcare provider is completed. Choice A is incorrect as feeding the patient soft solids can increase the risk of aspiration. Choice C is incorrect as providing ice chips may further compromise swallowing safety. Choice D is incorrect as starting the patient on a clear liquid diet can also increase the risk of aspiration in this scenario.
A nurse notices another nurse skipping hand hygiene. What is the appropriate course of action?
- A. Ignore the situation to maintain team harmony.
- B. Report the behavior to the supervisor.
- C. Discuss the issue with the nurse directly.
- D. Do nothing and continue with patient care.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct hand hygiene is crucial for preventing the spread of infections and ensuring patient safety. When a nurse observes another healthcare worker skipping hand hygiene practices, it is essential to report this behavior to the supervisor. Reporting ensures that appropriate action is taken to address the issue and maintain a safe environment for patients. Ignoring the situation (Choice A) may compromise patient safety. Discussing the issue directly with the nurse (Choice C) may not always be effective in ensuring compliance. Doing nothing and continuing with patient care (Choice D) disregards the importance of infection control protocols.
The nurse is caring for a patient on contact precautions. Which action will be most appropriate to prevent the spread of disease?
- A. Wear a gown, gloves, face mask, and goggles for interactions with the patient.
- B. Transport the patient safely and quickly when going to the radiology department.
- C. Place the patient in a room with negative airflow.
- D. Use a dedicated blood pressure cuff that stays in the room and is used for that patient only.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to use a dedicated blood pressure cuff that stays in the room and is used for that patient only. Patients on contact precautions require dedicated equipment to prevent the spread of disease. Using one blood pressure cuff exclusively for the patient on contact precautions helps minimize the risk of transmitting infections to other patients. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because while wearing protective gear and isolating the patient in a room with negative airflow are important infection control measures, using dedicated equipment for the patient on contact precautions is specifically recommended to prevent the spread of disease in this scenario.
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