A nurse on a medical-surgical unit suspects that several patients have Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) when they all develop watery diarrhea.
What actions should the nurse plan to take while waiting for the patients’ lab results?
Request the providers to initiate antibiotic therapy for every patient on the unit.
Perform hand hygiene with an alcohol-based agent.
Obtain stool cultures from all patients on the nursing unit.
Place all patients who have symptoms on contact precautions.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Requesting the providers to initiate antibiotic therapy for every patient on the unit is not the most appropriate action. Antibiotics should only be used when there is a confirmed bacterial infection. Overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance and can potentially trigger C. difficile infection due to disruption of normal gut flora.
Choice B rationale
While performing hand hygiene with an alcohol-based agent is important in general infection control, it is not the most effective measure against C. difficile.
C. difficile spores are resistant to destruction by alcohol-based hand rubs. Therefore, hand hygiene for C. difficile should involve washing with soap and water.
Choice C rationale
Obtaining stool cultures from all patients on the nursing unit is not the most appropriate action. Stool cultures should be obtained from patients who are symptomatic. Testing asymptomatic patients can lead to false positives and unnecessary treatment.
Choice D rationale
Placing all patients who have symptoms on contact precautions is the correct answer. Contact precautions, including the use of gloves and gowns, can prevent the spread of C. difficile. This is because C. difficile is spread via the fecal-oral route, and its spores can survive on surfaces for long periods.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
An elevated white blood cell (WBC) count in a urinalysis can indicate an infection or inflammation in the body. A count of 10 is higher than the normal range, which is typically 0 to 5 WBCs per high power field.
Choice B rationale
Occasional casts in the urine are not typically a cause for concern. Casts are tiny tube-shaped particles that can form due to kidney conditions, but occasional casts can be normal.
Choice C rationale
A pH of 5.0 is within the normal range for urine pH, which is typically between 4.6 and 8.0.
Therefore, this result would not typically need to be communicated to the provider.
Choice D rationale
Dark amber color of the urine can be a sign of dehydration, but it can also be influenced by certain foods, medications, and health conditions. It is not typically a result that needs to be communicated to the provider.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Performing hand hygiene frequently and consistently is the most effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens during patient care. Hand hygiene is the single most important measure to reduce the transmission of harmful germs and prevent health care-associated infections.
Choice B rationale
Properly disposing of contaminated equipment is important in preventing the spread of pathogens, but it is not the most effective measure. While it is crucial to handle and dispose of contaminated equipment properly, hand hygiene is the most effective measure in preventing the spread of pathogens.
Choice C rationale
Discarding used syringes in appropriate containers is a standard safety measure in healthcare settings, but it is not the most effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens during patient care. While it is important for preventing needlestick injuries and the spread of bloodborne pathogens, hand hygiene is the most effective measure in preventing the spread of pathogens.
Choice D rationale
Changing soiled linens daily for patients with draining wounds is a part of standard wound care and infection control, but it is not the most effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens during patient care. Hand hygiene remains the most effective measure in preventing the spread of pathogens.
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