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Difficulty: MediumStandard and Transmission-Based Precautions

A practical nurse is assigned to care for a client who is on contact precautions for a vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) infection. When preparing to measure the client's vital signs, which action should the nurse take to maintain proper infection control?

  1. Leave a dedicated stethoscope and blood pressure cuff in the client's room for the duration of the stay.Answer
  2. B
    Put on a protective gown and clean gloves immediately after stepping inside the client's room.
  3. C
    Remove the gown and gloves in the hallway immediately after closing the client's door.
  4. D
    Apply a well-fitted N95 respirator before entering, as VRE can be transmitted through airborne particles.

Answer

Leave a dedicated stethoscope and blood pressure cuff in the client's room for the duration of the stay.
The correct action is to use dedicated client equipment. For clients on contact precautions due to infections like VRE, dedicating noncritical equipment (such as a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff) to a single client prevents the transfer of microorganisms to other clients and environmental surfaces. If dedicated equipment is unavailable, shared equipment must be thoroughly disinfected before leaving the room.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the transmission route for the specific pathogen.
Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) is transmitted through direct or indirect contact.
Knowing the mode of transmission determines which specific infection control precautions are required.
2
Determine the requirements for contact precautions.
Contact precautions require a private room (or cohorting), gown and gloves upon entry, and dedicated client care equipment.
These measures block the physical transfer of microorganisms from the client or their environment to the nurse or other areas.
3
Evaluate the timing and location for donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE).
PPE must be donned before entering the room and removed inside the room just prior to exiting.
Strict adherence to the PPE sequence prevents environmental contamination of clean areas like hallways.
4
Select the action that aligns with these standards.
Using dedicated equipment that remains in the room is the correct infection control practice.
This eliminates the need to carry potentially contaminated items in and out of the isolation environment.

Key Concept

Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions
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Topics

Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions

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