A client is post-op day #1 after a hemilaminectomy. The nurse removes the dressing as ordered and notes that the incision appears slightly red, with a small amount of serous drainage coming from the site. The edges of the incision are approximated. What is the next action of the nurse?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: An incision that appears slightly red with a small amount of serous drainage on the first day following surgery is going through a normal healing process. It is important to keep the incision clean. In this case, the nurse should assist the client to shower as ordered to maintain hygiene and monitor for changes in the incision site. Instructing the client to lie prone may not be necessary and could cause discomfort. Applying antibiotic ointment without a specific order is not recommended as it can interfere with the healing process. Notifying the physician for an antibiotic order is premature at this stage since the incision is showing normal signs of healing.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: When a nurse's hand comes in contact with a client's blood, it is important to follow appropriate infection control measures. Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not sufficient in this scenario as the blood is a visible contaminant. The best practice is to wash hands with soap and water using appropriate technique to ensure thorough cleansing and removal of any potential pathogens. Notifying the appropriate personnel about the exposure is important for documentation and further evaluation, but immediate hand hygiene is crucial. Sampling the client's blood for disease determination is not within the nurse's scope of practice and is unnecessary in this situation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is gloves. When attending a high-risk delivery and handling a newborn immediately after birth, the minimum personal protective equipment required for a nurse includes gloves. This is essential to protect the nurse from potential exposure to the mother's blood or body fluids that may be present on the newborn's skin. Choices A, B, and D include additional protective equipment that is not necessary for this specific scenario. Wearing gloves is crucial for infection control and to prevent the transmission of pathogens.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Infections that require airborne precautions necessitate the use of an N95 respirator, a type of mask that filters particles that are 5 micrograms or smaller. Illnesses that require airborne precautions include Measles, Varicella, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and tuberculosis. Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease caused by a virus. It can spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Wearing an N95 respirator helps prevent the nurse from inhaling these infectious particles. Human immunodeficiency virus, Clostridium difficile enterocolitis, and Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus do not require the use of an N95 respirator as they are not transmitted through the air but have other modes of transmission.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to only drink tap water that has been filtered or boiled before consumption. Immunocompromised clients are susceptible to infections, so it is essential to take precautions to prevent exposure to harmful pathogens. Drinking tap water that has been filtered or boiled helps eliminate potential pathogens that could be harmful to the client's health. Choices A, B, and D do not directly address the issue of avoiding potential pathogens that could compromise the health of an immunocompromised client. Thus, they are incorrect. Hand-washing utensils, avoiding canned foods, and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption are good general hygiene practices but may not specifically address the needs of an immunocompromised client.