A charge nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about health care-associated infections (HAIs). Which of the following should the nurse include in the teaching as examples of HAIS?

A. Calling the healthcare provider is a reasonable action, especially when there is a significant change in the patient's condition, such as weight gain and generalized edema. The nurse may need further guidance on adjusting medications or additional interventions.

B. Diuretics are commonly prescribed for patients with heart failure to manage fluid overload. If the patient has not been compliant with taking their diuretic as prescribed, it could contribute to fluid retention and exacerbation of symptoms. Therefore, ensuring medication adherence is important. However, this alone may not address the acute issue of current weight gain and edema.
C. Daily weight monitoring is crucial for patients with heart failure as it can indicate fluid retention early on. Reinforcing the importance of daily weights helps in early detection of changes and facilitates timely intervention. However, in this scenario, the nurse has already noted a significant weight gain and edema since the last visit, so immediate action beyond education is needed.
D. Documenting the findings is essential for maintaining accurate patient records. However, in the context of a patient with heart failure who has shown signs of worsening (weight gain and edema), immediate action to address the worsening condition is necessary.

A. The water temperature for handwashing should be comfortable and tolerable for the hands. Hot water can be drying to the skin and may not necessarily improve the effectiveness of hand hygiene. Ideally, the water temperature should be warm, but not uncomfortably hot or cold, to encourage thorough handwashing.
B. The amount of soap used for handwashing is important for effective cleaning. Applying 4 to 5 mL (approximately a teaspoon) of liquid soap ensures adequate coverage to create lather and effectively cleanse the hands. Too little soap may not produce enough lather to clean effectively, while too much may be wasteful.
C. During hand hygiene, it's recommended to keep the hands lower than the elbows to prevent water from running from the contaminated area (hands) to the cleaner area (elbows). This helps maintain hygiene and prevents potential contamination of the cleaned hands.
D. After washing hands with soap and water, it's important to dry them thoroughly. However, rubbing hands and arms to dry is not recommended. Instead, hands should be dried using a clean towel or paper towel. Rubbing can cause friction and potential irritation to the skin.