A nurse in the Medical-Surgical unit is caring for a client who has had an allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant. Which of the following infection-control precautions should the nurse use while caring for this client?

Choice A rationale:

Enclosing the dressing in a single clear plastic bag and discarding it in the bedside trash receptacle is not the appropriate method for disposing of a dressing saturated with blood and purulent drainage. Blood and purulent drainage are considered potentially infectious materials, and they should be handled as biohazardous waste to prevent the spread of infection.

Choice B rationale:

This is the correct choice. When dealing with potentially infectious materials such as blood and purulent drainage, it's essential to dispose of them in a biohazardous waste container. This specialized container is designed to contain potentially infectious materials and prevent their spread, thereby protecting both healthcare workers and the environment.

Choice C rationale:

Discarding the dressing in the bedside trash receptacle is not the recommended approach for disposing of materials that are contaminated with blood and purulent drainage. Simply discarding it in the regular trash increases the risk of infection transmission and is not compliant with proper infection control practices.

Choice D rationale:

Double-bagging the dressing in clear bags and labeling it "biohazard" is a good practice to ensure proper containment. However, it's not the most comprehensive method of disposal. Placing the dressing in a dedicated biohazardous waste container is a more secure and standardized method for disposing of potentially infectious materials.

Choice A rationale:

Encouraging the client to ambulate frequently is important for preventing complications associated with immobility, such as deep vein thrombosis and muscle atrophy. However, it is not a direct intervention for promoting the thinning of respiratory secretions.

Choice B rationale:

Encouraging the client to increase fluid intake is a valuable intervention to help thin respiratory secretions. However, the most effective method mentioned here is the use of the incentive spirometer, which directly assists the client in taking deep breaths and enhancing lung function.

Choice C rationale:

Encouraging regular use of the incentive spirometer is a crucial intervention for promoting the thinning of respiratory secretions. Incentive spirometry helps prevent atelectasis (collapse of lung tissue) and promotes deep breathing, which aids in clearing secretions and maintaining lung health.

Choice D rationale:

Encouraging coughing and deep breathing is generally important for maintaining lung health and preventing complications like pneumonia. However, the specific action of using the incentive spirometer is more targeted and effective for promoting respiratory secretion clearance in clients with pneumonia.