A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for oxygen at 7 L/min via a simple face mask. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure client safety?

The correct answer is choice D: Choose a private room for the interview.

Choice D rationale:

Opting for a private room for the interview is essential when interacting with a client who uses a hearing aid. This choice helps minimize background noise and distractions, ensuring effective communication between the nurse and the client. Adequate lighting and minimizing auditory interference are crucial for clients with hearing difficulties.

Choice A rationale:

Sitting beside the client is a considerate approach, but it may not directly address the hearing aid user's needs. The focus should be on creating an optimal environment for communication, which includes minimizing auditory and visual obstacles.

Choice B rationale:

Speaking slowly and loudly to the client is not the most appropriate approach. While speaking clearly and facing the client is recommended, speaking loudly may distort sounds and hinder understanding for clients with hearing aids.

Choice C rationale:

Dimming the lights in the client's room is not necessary for addressing the needs of a client with a hearing aid. Adequate lighting is important for lip-reading and effective communication, especially for clients who rely on visual cues.

The correct answer is choice B. Remove the cover gown in the client’s room after providing care. This is because Clostridium difficile spores are not effectively killed by alcohol-based hand rubs and can survive on surfaces for a long time. Removing the gown in the client’s room helps to contain any spores that may have settled on the gown, preventing them from being spread to other areas.

Choice A rationale:

Cleaning hands with an alcohol-based hand rub immediately after removing gloves is wrong because C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol-based hand rubs. The recommended practice is thorough handwashing with soap and water to physically remove the spores from the hands.

Choice C rationale:

Placing the client in a room with negative-pressure airflow is wrong because this measure is used for airborne infections, such as tuberculosis. C. difficile is spread via the fecal-oral route, primarily through contact with contaminated surfaces or hands, not through the air.

Choice D rationale:

Wearing a mask when administering oral medications to the client is wrong because C. difficile is not spread through respiratory droplets. Masks are not necessary unless there is a risk of splash or spray of contaminated material.