A client presents to the medical surgical unit.

Which of the following findings requires further action by the nurse? Select all that apply.

A) "For a client who has Clostridium difficile, I will cleanse my hands with an alcohol-based rub.":
This statement is incorrect. When caring for a client with Clostridium difficile (C. diff), hand hygiene must be performed using soap and water, not an alcohol-based rub. Alcohol does not effectively kill C. diff spores. Handwashing with soap and water is essential to reduce the spread of this infection, as alcohol-based hand sanitizers are ineffective against C. diff spores.

B) "Droplet precautions require that I wear a gown and gloves when providing client care.":
This statement is incorrect. Droplet precautions require wearing a surgical mask to protect against large respiratory droplets that may be expelled during coughing or sneezing. Gowns and gloves are not routinely necessary unless there is a risk of contact with body fluids or secretions. Contact precautions, not droplet precautions, would require a gown and gloves.

C) "Following a blood spill, I should use a bleach solution with a ratio of 1 to 20.":
This statement is partially correct but not fully optimal. For blood spills, the correct bleach solution ratio for disinfection is typically 1 part bleach to 9 parts water (a 1:10 ratio) rather than 1:20. The bleach solution must be strong enough to effectively kill pathogens and viruses, so a 1:9 dilution is preferred.

D) "Soiled dressings should be placed in a biohazard trash receptacle.":
This statement is correct. Soiled dressings, particularly those that are contaminated with blood, bodily fluids, or pathogens, should always be disposed of in a biohazard trash receptacle. This ensures the safe and appropriate handling of potentially infectious materials and helps prevent the spread of infection.

A) Weight loss: Weight loss is not a sign of fluid overload; rather, it is more indicative of dehydration or insufficient nutritional intake. Fluid overload typically leads to weight gain due to the accumulation of excess fluid in the body, so weight loss would not be a manifestation of this condition.

B) Decreased skin turgor: Decreased skin turgor is a common sign of dehydration, not fluid overload. When a person is dehydrated, the skin loses its elasticity, and it takes longer to return to its normal position after being pinched. This is the opposite of what is seen in fluid overload, where excess fluid causes the skin to appear more swollen or taut.

C) Decreased blood pressure: Decreased blood pressure is more commonly associated with hypovolemia (low fluid volume) or dehydration, rather than fluid overload. In fluid overload, blood pressure may actually rise due to the increased volume of circulating blood, not decrease.

D) Crackles heard in the lungs: Crackles, or rales, heard in the lungs are a classic sign of fluid overload, particularly when the excess fluid accumulates in the lungs (pulmonary edema). This can occur due to the heart's inability to pump effectively, leading to fluid retention in the lungs. Therefore, crackles in the lungs are a key manifestation of fluid overload.