A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which action should the nurse take for hand hygiene to be effective?
Rub soap on hands for 20 seconds.
Allow hands and arms to dry.
Hold the hands higher than the elbows.
Adjust the water temperature to feel hot.
The Correct Answer is A
Effective hand hygiene is crucial in preventing the spread of infections in healthcare settings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations provide guidelines on proper hand hygiene techniques to ensure maximum effectiveness.
Choice A Reason:
“Rub soap on hands for 20 seconds.”
This is the correct action for effective hand hygiene. According to the CDC, scrubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds is essential to remove germs effectively. This duration ensures that all surfaces of the hands, including the backs, between the fingers, and under the nails, are thoroughly cleaned. The CDC recommends singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice as a timer to ensure you scrub for the full 20 seconds.
Choice B Reason:
“Allow hands and arms to dry.”
While drying hands is an important step in hand hygiene, it is not the primary action that makes hand hygiene effective. The focus should be on the thorough scrubbing and cleaning of the hands. After washing, hands should be dried using a clean towel or air dryer to prevent the transfer of germs from wet hands.
Choice C Reason:
“Hold the hands higher than the elbows.”
This technique is often used in surgical hand antisepsis to prevent water from running from the hands down to the elbows, potentially contaminating the hands again. However, for routine hand hygiene, this is not necessary. The primary focus should be on the thorough washing and scrubbing of the hands.
Choice D Reason:
“Adjust the water temperature to feel hot.”
The temperature of the water is less important than the act of scrubbing itself. The CDC states that hands can be washed with either warm or cold water. The key is to use soap and scrub all surfaces of the hands for at least 20 seconds. Hot water can actually be harsh on the skin and is not required for effective hand hygiene.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Alginate dressings are typically used for wounds with moderate to heavy exudate because they are highly absorbent. Stage I pressure ulcers do not usually produce exudate, making alginate dressings unnecessary and inappropriate for this type of wound.
Choice B Reason:
Hydrogel dressings are designed to provide moisture to dry wounds and are more suitable for wounds with minimal to no exudate. While they can be used for stage I pressure ulcers, they are not the most common choice as these ulcers do not typically require additional moisture.
Choice C Reason:
Transparent dressings are ideal for stage I pressure ulcers because they protect the skin from friction and shear while allowing for continuous observation of the wound. These dressings maintain a moist environment, which is beneficial for healing, and are easy to apply and remove without causing additional trauma to the skin.
Choice D Reason:
Wet-to-dry gauze dressings are generally used for debridement of necrotic tissue in more advanced wounds. They are not suitable for stage I pressure ulcers, which do not have necrotic tissue and do not require debridement.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
“Call the provider” is important but not the first priority. The immediate concern is to maintain the client’s intravenous access to ensure they can receive any necessary medications or fluids promptly. Once the line is secured, the provider should be notified to receive further instructions and manage the client’s condition.
Choice B Reason:
“Notify the blood bank” is also crucial but comes after ensuring the client’s immediate safety. The blood bank needs to be informed to investigate the cause of the reaction and prevent further issues, but this step follows the initial emergency interventions.
Choice C Reason:
“Collect a urine specimen” is necessary to check for hemolysis, which can occur during a transfusion reaction. However, this is not the first step. The priority is to stabilize the client by maintaining IV access with normal saline.
Choice D Reason:
“Keep the line open with 0.9% NS through new tubing” is the correct first intervention. This action ensures that the client remains hydrated and that the IV line is available for any emergency medications or treatments. Using new tubing prevents any contamination from the transfusion set.
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