A nurse on an inpatient care unit is working to help reduce unit costs. Which of the following actions is appropriate to include in the cost-containment plan?
Store opened bottles of normal saline in a refrigerator for up to 48 hours
Wait to dispose of sharps containers until they are completely full
Use clean gloves rather than sterile gloves for colostomy care
Return unused supplies from the bedside to the unit’s supply stock
The Correct Answer is C
A. Opened bottles of normal saline should be discarded after 24 hours to prevent contamination, even if stored in a refrigerator. Keeping them longer could increase the risk of infection, making this practice unsafe.
B. Sharps containers should be disposed of when they are three-quarters full, not completely full, to prevent needlestick injuries and ensure staff safety. This is a critical safety measure, not an appropriate cost-containment strategy.
C. Using clean gloves rather than sterile gloves for colostomy care is an appropriate cost-saving measure without compromising care. Clean gloves are sufficient for this procedure and help reduce unnecessary use of sterile supplies, which are more expensive.
D. Unused supplies from the bedside should not be returned to the supply stock due to infection control protocols. Once supplies have been taken to the bedside, they are considered contaminated and should be disposed of, not reused.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
a. Advising the newly licensed nurse to complete less time-consuming tasks first may not address the underlying issue of difficulty focusing and prioritizing care effectively.
b. Recommending that the newly licensed nurse take time to plan at the beginning of his shift can help him organize tasks and prioritize care more effectively.
c. While offering to provide care for his clients while he takes a break is supportive, it does not address the underlying issue of difficulty focusing and prioritizing care.
d. Asking other staff members to take over some of his tasks may be necessary in some situations but should not be the first intervention. Helping the nurse develop strategies to improve focus and organization is more appropriate.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
a. Rotavirus infections are typically reported to local health departments, but they are not generally considered reportable diseases to state health departments.
b. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a reportable disease in most jurisdictions due to its contagious nature and potential for outbreaks.
c. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are not usually reportable to state health departments unless they are part of a larger outbreak or cluster of cases.
d. Group B streptococcus (GBS) infections, while significant in certain populations such as newborns, are not typically reportable diseases to state health departments.
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