A nurse is assessing a client who is postoperative and has a history of pulmonary embolism.
Which of the following findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?

The correct answer isChoice D, remove the protective gown while in the client’s room.

Choice A rationale: Wearing a face shield is not specifically required for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) precautions. CDI is primarily spread through the fecal-oral route, and while a face shield could provide protection against splashes during procedures that might generate them, it is not a standard precaution for entering the room of a patient with CDI.

Choice B rationale: Placing a mask on the client during transport is not a standard precaution for CDI. While it is important to prevent the spread of infection, CDI is not transmitted through the respiratory route, so a mask for the client would not be necessary in this context.

Choice C rationale: Using an alcohol-based hand rub is generally recommended for hand hygiene. However, for CDI, alcohol-based hand rubs are not effective against C. difficile spores. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing hands with soap and water after caring for patients with CDI to physically remove the spores from the hands.

Choice D rationale: Removing the protective gown while still in the client’s room is the correct action to prevent the spread of contamination. Gowns should be removed before leaving the patient’s room to avoid dispersing contaminants to other areas of the healthcare facility.

Infection control for CDI involves several specific actions due to the resilience of C. difficile spores. These spores can survive on surfaces for a long time and are resistant to many common disinfectants, which is why environmental cleaning and disinfection with agents effective against C. difficile, such as bleach-based products, are crucial. Additionally, healthcare workers should use gloves and gowns when entering the rooms of patients with CDI and should ensure that these are disposed of correctly after use.

Choice A rationale:

Moderate variability in the FHR is a reassuring sign of fetal well-being, indicating a responsive fetal autonomic nervous system to normal physiologic stimuli. It is considered a normal finding in active labor, suggesting that the fetus is well-oxygenated and able to cope with contractions.

Choice B rationale:

Prolonged decelerations are concerning patterns on the fetal heart rate (FHR) monitor, indicating potential fetal distress. Prolonged decelerations are defined as lasting more than 2 minutes but less than 10 minutes. These decelerations can be caused by umbilical cord compression, placental insufficiency, or maternal hypotension. Prompt intervention is required, making this choice the correct answer.

Choice C rationale:

Three uterine contractions within 10 minutes, also known as a contraction stress test (CST), is a normal finding. It assesses the fetal response to stress and is used to evaluate the placental function and fetal well-being.

Choice D rationale:

A baseline FHR of 115/min is within the normal range (110-160 beats per minute) for a term fetus. It indicates a stable fetal heart rate, and there is no immediate need for intervention.