A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has AIDS and has malnutrition. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Choice A Reason:

Discarding soiled wound care supplies in a trash receptacle outside the client's room is generally a good practice for infection control. However, this action alone might not be sufficient for managing an infectious wound. Proper disposal is essential, but placing the client in isolation is more critical to prevent the spread of infection.

Choice B Reason:

Administering antibiotic therapy before culturing the wound might interfere with accurate culture results. It's generally preferred to obtain wound cultures before starting antibiotic therapy to identify the specific pathogens causing the infection and determine the most effective treatment.

Choice C Reason:

Placing the client in a private room with a private bathroom is correct. Isolating the client in a private room with a private bathroom helps minimize the spread of potential pathogens present in the wound drainage. This measure helps contain the infection and prevents exposure to others.

Choice D Reason:

Instructing visitors to perform hand hygiene for only 5 seconds after leaving the client's room isn't thorough enough for proper infection control. Proper hand hygiene typically involves washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds to effectively reduce the spread of infection.

Choice A Reason:
Using a fire extinguisher at the source of the smoke is not appropriate. While using a fire extinguisher could potentially help contain a small fire, it's crucial to prioritize rescuing those in immediate danger and alerting others about the fire first by activating the fire alarm. This action ensures that help is on the way and that everyone is aware of the emergency.
Choice B Reason:
Closing the doors to the room and to the bathroom is not appropriate. Closing doors can help contain smoke and fire to some extent, but again, the priority in an emergency situation like this is to rescue those in immediate danger then activate the fire alarm to ensure a swift response and alert others.
Choice C Reason:
Activate the fire alarm system is appropriate. Activating the fire alarm alerts others in the facility and initiates the emergency response protocol, helping to ensure that help is on the way while potentially preventing the spread of fire. However, this step should be taken after assisting the client to safety as they are in immediate danger.
Choice D Reason:
Assisting the client who is in immediate danger to a nearby common area should be the furst step that the nurse takes before alerting other people of the fire. (RACE protocol)