A public health nurse is preparing for a mass casualty incident. Which of the following tasks should the nurse complete during the planning phase of disaster management?

A. A 32-year-old client who has chlamydia: Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that is not transmitted via airborne or droplet routes. Standard precautions are sufficient, and a private room is not required.

B. A 50-year-old client who has Candida albicans: Candida infections are generally superficial and not highly contagious. Standard precautions are adequate, so a private room is not necessary.

C. A 25-year-old client who has vaginal trichomonas: Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection and does not require isolation. Standard precautions are appropriate for this client.

D. A 40-year-old client who has streptococcal pharyngitis: Streptococcal pharyngitis is transmitted via respiratory droplets. Placing the client in a private room or with another client who has the same infection helps prevent transmission, making a private room the most appropriate assignment.

A. Use a 3 mL syringe to flush the catheter: Small syringes (3 mL) create high pressure that can damage the lumen of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). Larger syringes, typically 10 mL or greater, are recommended to safely flush and maintain catheter integrity.

B. Cleanse the port with povidone-iodine prior to obtaining the specimen: Current guidelines recommend using an alcohol-based antiseptic (e.g., 70% isopropyl alcohol) rather than povidone-iodine for cleaning catheter hubs due to faster action and reduced contamination risk.

C. Flush with 20 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride after obtaining the blood sample: While flushing is required, the volume depends on the protocol and whether blood was drawn for lab testing. Immediate flushing with 10 mL is often sufficient; 20 mL may be excessive unless the protocol specifies.

D. Instruct the client to perform the Valsalva maneuver during the blood draw: Performing the Valsalva maneuver increases intrathoracic pressure and reduces the risk of air embolism when accessing a central line. This is a recommended safety measure during blood draws from PICC lines.