A nurse is managing a large blood spill on the floor of a client's room after an arterial line accidentally became disconnected. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to safely handle and clean this biohazardous material? Select all that apply.
- Restrict personnel and client access to the immediate spill area.Answer
- BInstruct an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to mop up the pooled blood.
- Cover the spill with absorbent materials to soak up the gross blood volume.Answer
- DApply a germicidal disinfectant directly to the pooled blood prior to absorbing the spill.
- Dispose of all blood-saturated absorbent materials into a red biohazard bag.Answer
- FWipe the affected floor surface starting from the center of the spill and moving outward to the edges.
Answer
Restrict access to the spill area, cover the spill with absorbent materials, and dispose of blood-saturated items into a red biohazard bag.
When managing a large blood spill, the nurse must first restrict access to prevent spreading the pathogen. The gross volume of the spill must be absorbed using towels or a solidifying powder before applying a germicide, as large amounts of organic matter (blood) will inactivate the disinfectant. Finally, all saturated materials must be discarded in a red biohazard bag in accordance with standard precautions and OSHA regulations.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Management of biohazardous blood and body fluid spills