Following an industrial accident, a client arrives at an urgent care clinic reporting exposure to an unknown dry chemical. A thick layer of white powder is visible on the client's forearms and shirt. Which actions should the practical nurse take? Select all that apply.
- Put on personal protective equipment, including gloves and a gown, before interacting with the client.Answer
- Brush the visible dry chemical powder off the client's skin using a dry, disposable cloth.Answer
- Assist the client in carefully removing contaminated garments and placing them in a designated biohazard bag.Answer
- DRemove the protective face shield and mask before taking off the chemically contaminated gloves.
- EPerform the initial comprehensive triage assessment to determine the extent of systemic chemical toxicity.
- FDelay the decontamination process to immediately obtain a full set of baseline vital signs and a health history.
Answer
The correct actions are to put on personal protective equipment before contact, brush the dry chemical off the skin, and assist the client in removing contaminated clothing.
The correct actions focus on immediate safety and hazard containment. The nurse must first prioritize self-protection by donning appropriate equipment. For dry chemicals, brushing the powder off the skin is essential because adding water could cause an exothermic reaction resulting in severe burns. Finally, safely removing and bagging contaminated clothing effectively halts further exposure to the client and the environment.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Hazardous Material Decontamination and PN Scope of Practice