The infection control nurse has asked the staff to work on reducing the number of iatrogenic infections on the unit. Which of the following actions on the nurses’ part would contribute to reducing health care–acquired infections? (Select all that apply.)

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Correct Answer: C Rationale: 1. Providing perineal care to a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter is essential in preventing infections as it helps maintain proper hygiene and reduces the risk of urinary tract infections. 2. Proper perineal care also helps in preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), which are common iatrogenic infections in healthcare settings. 3. This action aligns with evidence-based practice guidelines for reducing healthcare-acquired infections. Summary: - Choice A (Teaching correct handwashing): While important for overall infection control, this choice does not directly address reducing iatrogenic infections. - Choice B (Using correct procedures for IV care): While important for preventing bloodstream infections, it does not specifically target iatrogenic infections. - Choice D (Isolating a patient on antibiotics with loose stool): Isolation helps with preventing the spread of infectious diseases but does not directly address iatrogenic infections.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: a reservoir. A reservoir is an environment where infectious agents can live and multiply. In this case, the contagious condition of the patient indicates that there is a source from which the infection is spreading. A reservoir can be a person, animal, plant, soil, or inanimate object. It provides a conducive environment for the infectious agent to survive and thrive. A: A vector refers to an organism that transmits an infectious agent to a host, like a mosquito transmitting malaria. B: A portal of entry is the route through which an infectious agent enters a host's body, like a cut in the skin. D: A susceptible host is an individual who is at risk of developing an infection, but it does not refer to the environment where the infectious agent grows and multiplies.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. The nurse should identify the patient by name and date of birth on the patient's wristband and match it to the medication order. This is crucial for patient safety to ensure the right medication is given to the right patient. Matching the patient's information on the wristband with the medication order helps prevent medication errors. Option A only identifies the patient by name and room number, which may not be sufficient to ensure accuracy. Option B focuses on the room and bed number, which is less critical than confirming the patient's identity. Option D relies solely on asking the patient for their name, which is not as reliable as checking the wristband. Matching the patient's information on the wristband is the best practice to prevent medication errors and ensure patient safety.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct order of events when applying PPE is crucial for infection control. Starting with handwashing removes potential contaminants. Gowning before mask and eye protection prevents contamination of the face. Eye protection comes before gloves to avoid self-contamination. Gloves are the last item to be put on to minimize the risk of touching contaminated surfaces. Therefore, the correct order is handwashing, gown, mask, eye protection, and gloves. Other choices are incorrect because they do not follow the proper sequence for maximum protection.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Correct Answer: B Rationale: 1. The tray is considered unsterile if a blood-soaked gauze from the patient is placed back onto it. 2. This action contaminates the tray, breaking the sterile field integrity. 3. Maintaining sterile technique is crucial to prevent infections during surgery. 4. Any breach in sterility increases the risk of introducing harmful microorganisms. 5. Therefore, ensuring that contaminated items are not placed back on the sterile field is essential. Summary: - Choice A is incorrect as only the center of a sterile field is considered sterile, not the edges. - Choice C is incorrect as the skin cannot be made completely sterile, but it should be cleaned and disinfected. - Choice D is incorrect as any instrument that is held out of view should not be considered sterile due to potential contamination risks.