A nurse is preparing to remove and dispose of bed linens heavily soiled with feces from a client diagnosed with a Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection. Arrange the following actions in the correct sequence to ensure safe handling of infectious materials.
- 1Don a fluid-resistant isolation gown and clean gloves.
- 2Roll the soiled linens carefully away from the body without shaking them.
- 3Place the rolled linens directly into a designated leak-proof biohazard laundry bag.
- 4Remove and discard the gown and gloves into the appropriate infectious waste receptacle.
- 5Perform hand hygiene by washing hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Answer
The proper sequence is: don personal protective equipment, gently roll the soiled linens away from the body, place them in a leak-proof biohazard bag, remove the protective equipment, and finally wash hands with soap and water.
Handling infectious linens requires a strict sequential protocol to maintain environmental safety and prevent cross-contamination. The nurse must first protect themselves by donning appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Next, the linens must be handled gently and rolled away from the body to prevent aerosolizing spores. The contaminated linens are immediately secured in a leak-proof biohazard laundry bag to contain the infectious material. Finally, the nurse removes their contaminated PPE and performs hand hygiene specifically with soap and water, because alcohol-based sanitizers do not eradicate C. difficile spores.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Safe handling of infectious materials and contact precautions for Clostridioides difficile require minimizing environmental contamination, immediate containment of biohazards, and mechanical removal of spores via handwashing with soap and water.