A nurse is reviewing standard precautions with an assistive personnel (AP) who is new to the newborn nursery. For which of the following newborn care procedures should the nurse remind the AP to wear clean gloves?

A. Cleanse the perineal area from back to front: Perineal hygiene after delivery should be performed from front to back to prevent transfer of gastrointestinal flora, such as Escherichia coli, to the episiotomy site or urinary tract. Cleansing from back to front increases the risk of wound contamination and postpartum infection.

B. Wash the perineal area with povidone-iodine twice daily: Routine use of antiseptic solutions such as povidone-iodine is not recommended for standard episiotomy care. These solutions can irritate healing tissue and disrupt normal skin flora. Gentle cleansing with warm water using a peri-bottle after voiding or defecation is typically advised.

C. Change the perineal pad with each void: Lochia provides a moist environment that can promote bacterial growth and increase infection risk at the episiotomy site. Changing the perineal pad frequently, especially after each void, helps maintain dryness, reduce bacterial proliferation, and support wound healing.

D. Wipe the perineal area with a soft towel: The perineal area should be gently patted dry rather than wiped to avoid mechanical trauma to the sutured episiotomy site. Wiping can place tension on the sutures and disrupt tissue approximation during the early stages of healing.

A. "I will have general anesthesia during the procedure.": Thoracentesis is performed using local anesthesia to numb the puncture site, not general anesthesia. Local anesthesia allows the client to remain awake, follow breathing instructions, and reduce procedural risk associated with systemic sedation. General anesthesia is unnecessary and increases potential complications.

B. "I will lie flat for 6 hours following the procedure.": After a thoracentesis, clients are generally encouraged to resume normal positioning as tolerated, often sitting upright or semi-Fowler’s position. Prolonged flat positioning is not required and does not prevent complications. Monitoring focuses on respiratory status and observing for pneumothorax.

C. "I will have a chest x-ray following the procedure.": A post-procedure chest x-ray is standard to confirm lung re-expansion and to check for complications such as pneumothorax or hemothorax. This imaging ensures that the lung has not been punctured or collapsed during fluid removal, and it guides further management if abnormalities are detected.

D. "I will breathe deeply through my nose during the procedure.": Clients are usually instructed to sit upright and remain still, with occasional breath-holding at end-inspiration during needle insertion. Breathing deeply through the nose is not a standard instruction and may increase movement, risking needle trauma to lung tissue.