A nurse is caring for a client who has a Clostridium difficile infection. Which of the following cleansing agents should the nurse use for hand hygiene?

A. Hypoglycemic: Hypoglycemia is not typically considered a sign or symptom of sepsis. In sepsis, blood glucose levels may fluctuate, but hypoglycemia is less common.
B. Elevated White Blood Count: An elevated white blood count (leukocytosis) is a common sign of sepsis, indicating the body's immune response to infection.
C. Pruritus: Pruritus, or itching, is not typically associated with sepsis. Itching may occur in certain skin conditions or allergic reactions but is not a hallmark sign of sepsis.
D. Hypotension: Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is a serious sign of sepsis and can indicate septic shock, a life-threatening complication.
E. Altered Mental Status: Altered mental status, such as confusion, disorientation, or decreased level of consciousness, can occur in sepsis due to systemic inflammation and impaired perfusion to the brain.

A. "All patients are presumed infectious.": This statement reflects the principle of universal precautions, which assumes that all patients may potentially transmit infectious agents, regardless of their diagnosis or symptoms. It emphasizes the importance of implementing infection prevention practices for every patient encounter to minimize the risk of transmission.
B. "Isolation is not required for most diseases.": While isolation precautions may not be required for all diseases, the statement does not fully capture the concept of universal precautions.
C. "Patients with a known infection are placed in isolation only when they are admitted.": This statement is not accurate as patients with known infections should be placed in isolation as soon as possible to prevent the spread of infection to others.
D. "Patients are not considered infectious until confirmed so by the laboratory.": Waiting for laboratory confirmation before implementing infection control measures could lead to delays in preventing transmission, as patients may be infectious before laboratory results are available.