A nurse assesses an audible grating sound (crepitus) when a client with osteoarthritis moves his knees. What is the cause of this sound?

Choice A reason: Properly disposing of contaminated equipment is an important infectioncontrol measure, but it is not the most effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens during client care. Contaminated equipment, such as gloves, gowns, masks, or needles, should be disposed of in designated containers or bags to prevent exposure or injury to others. However, this measure does not eliminate the risk of transmission of pathogens from the hands of the health care worker to the client or the environment.

Choice B reason: Discarding used syringes into appropriate containers is an important infectioncontrol measure, but it is not the most effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens during client care. Used syringes, especially those that contain blood or body fluids, should be discarded into punctureresistant, leakproof, and labeled containers to prevent needlestick injuries or exposure to others. However, this measure does not eliminate the risk of transmission of pathogens from the hands of the health care worker to the client or the environment.

Choice C reason: Changing soiled linens is an important infectioncontrol measure, but it is not the most effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens during client care. Soiled linens, especially those that contain blood or body fluids, should be changed and handled with gloves and minimal agitation to prevent contamination or aerosolization of pathogens. However, this measure does not eliminate the risk of transmission of pathogens from the hands of the health care worker to the client or the environment.

Choice D reason: Performing hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens during client care, because it reduces the number of microorganisms on the hands of the health care worker, which are the most common source and mode of transmission of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed before and after contact with the client, after contact with potentially infectious materials, after removing gloves, and before and after performing invasive procedures. Hand hygiene can be performed by washing with soap and water or using alcoholbased hand rubs.

Choice A reason: Blanching is the term that the nurse documents for this finding, because it describes the temporary whitening of the skin when pressure is applied. Blanching indicates that the blood vessels in the skin are constricted or compressed, and that the blood flow is reduced or interrupted. Blanching can be a normal response to cold, stress, or pressure, or it can be a sign of a problem, such as ischemia, infection, or inflammation.

Choice B reason: Warmth is not the term that the nurse documents for this finding, because it describes the increased temperature of the skin, not the color change. Warmth indicates that the blood vessels in the skin are dilated or expanded, and that the blood flow is increased or enhanced. Warmth can be a normal response to heat, exercise, or emotion, or it can be a sign of a problem, such as infection, inflammation, or allergy.

Choice C reason: Redness is not the term that the nurse documents for this finding, because it describes the original color of the skin, not the color change. Redness indicates that the blood vessels in the skin are dilated or expanded, and that the blood flow is increased or enhanced, as explained above. Redness can be a normal response to heat, exercise, or emotion, or it can be a sign of a problem, such as infection, inflammation, or allergy.

Choice D reason: Nonblanching is not the term that the nurse documents for this finding, because it describes the opposite of what the nurse observed. Nonblanching means that the skin does not turn white when pressure is applied, but rather remains red or purple. Nonblanching indicates that the blood vessels in the skin are damaged or ruptured, and that the blood has leaked into the surrounding tissues. Nonblanching can be a sign of a serious problem, such as bruising, bleeding, or necrosis.