A nurse is preparing an in-service presentation about preventing health care associated infections (HAIs).
The nurse should include which of the following as a common cause of these infections?

Allowing time during the workday when each nurse can demonstrate proficiency is the best way to evaluate staff competency with the new equipment. This method ensures that the nurses can perform the skills correctly and safely under the charge nurse’s supervision and feedback.

Choice A is wrong because verbally questioning the staff about the new equipment does not assess their practical skills or ability to use the equipment correctly.

Choice B is wrong because requiring each nurse to take a written examination about the new equipment does not assess their hands-on skills or ability to troubleshoot problems with the equipment.

Choice D is wrong because asking each nurse to read the procedure and sign a form acknowledging competency does not verify that the nurses have understood the procedure or can apply it in practice.

It also relies on the nurses’ honesty and self-assessment, which may not be accurate or reliable.

Neglect refers to the refusal or failure to provide an elderly person with necessary care, such as food, water, shelter, personal hygiene, medicine, and other essentials of daily living. Signs and symptoms of neglect in elders can include: dehydration, malnutrition, bed sores, fractures, urinary tract infections, contractures, over-medication, elopements, and poor personal hygiene. An elderly client who is admitted to the hospital looking unkempt, with dirty clothing, and smelling of urine may be suffering from neglect by a caregiver or by themselves (self-neglect).

Choice A is wrong because institutionalism is not a type of elder abuse but a term that describes the loss of individuality and autonomy that can occur in institutional settings such as nursing homes.

Choice C is wrong because emotional abuse is the infliction of mental or emotional anguish by threat, humiliation, intimidation, or other abusive conduct. Signs and symptoms of emotional abuse in elders can include: depression, confusion, withdrawal, isolation from friends and family. An elderly client who smells of urine may not necessarily be emotionally abused.

Choice D is wrong because stubborn behavior is not a type of elder abuse but a personality trait that may or may not be present in an elderly person.

Stubborn behavior does not indicate any harm or neglect inflicted upon an older adult by others or themselves.