A practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client who received intravenous antineoplastic medications 12 hours ago. The client experiences sudden nausea and vomits a large amount of emesis onto the floor next to the bed. In what chronological order should the PN perform the following actions to safely manage this hazardous biological spill? Arrange the steps from first to last.
- 1Restrict access to the immediate area to prevent staff or visitors from walking through the spill.
- 2Don a protective chemotherapy gown, double gloves, and a face shield.
- 3Cover the spill completely with absorbent chemotherapy spill pads.
- 4Place all contaminated cleaning materials and protective gear into a designated hazardous waste receptacle.
- 5Perform meticulous hand hygiene using soap and running water.
Answer
The correct sequence is to first restrict access to the area, don appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), cover the spill with absorbent pads, dispose of all contaminated materials in a designated hazardous waste receptacle, and finally perform hand hygiene.
Clients who have received antineoplastic (chemotherapy) medications excrete the hazardous chemicals in their bodily fluids for typically 48 hours post-administration. A spill of these fluids must be treated as a hazardous chemical spill. The nurse must first protect the environment by restricting access. Next, the nurse protects themselves by donning required PPE (chemotherapy gown, double gloves, face shield). Once protected, the nurse contains the spill with absorbent pads. After cleaning, all materials and PPE are disposed of in a specialized cytotoxic waste container. Finally, the nurse performs hand hygiene with soap and water.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Management of Antineoplastic (Cytotoxic) Bodily Fluid Spills