Choice A rationale:

While promptly removing urinary catheters can reduce the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), it addresses only one specific type of infection. It doesn't comprehensively address other common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) like central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), surgical site infections (SSIs), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and Clostridium difficile infections (CDI).

Education about infection control methods, however, encompasses a broader range of preventive measures that can be applied to various HAIs, making it a more effective strategy for overall infection prevention.

Choice C rationale:

Placing patients in appropriate isolation can prevent the spread of infections, but it's a reactive measure that's implemented after an infection has already occurred. It doesn't address the root causes of infections or prevent their occurrence in the first place.

Education about infection control methods, on the other hand, is a proactive approach that aims to prevent infections from happening in the first place by teaching staff about proper hygiene practices, aseptic techniques, and other infection prevention strategies.

Choice D rationale:

Monitoring hand hygiene practices is crucial for infection prevention, but it's only one aspect of a comprehensive infection control program. Education about infection control methods goes beyond hand hygiene and covers various other preventive measures, such as:

Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) Aseptic technique during invasive procedures

Proper cleaning and disinfection of equipment and surfaces Proper handling of patient waste

Recognition of signs and symptoms of infection Prompt reporting of potential outbreaks

Therefore, educating staff members about infection control methods is the most effective action the nursing manager can take to prevent infections in the hospital unit because it provides a comprehensive approach to infection prevention, addressing various aspects of HAI prevention and promoting a culture of safety among healthcare staff.

Choice A rationale:
While adequate hydration is important for overall health and urinary function, it does not directly address the priority nursing diagnosis of urinary incontinence. Increased fluid intake without addressing the underlying incontinence can actually exacerbate the problem by increasing urine output.
It's crucial to assess for signs of urinary retention or incomplete bladder emptying, as excessive fluid intake can worsen these conditions.
Individualized fluid intake goals should be established based on the client's overall health status, bladder capacity, and fluid balance.
Choice B rationale:
Satisfaction with incontinence products can improve comfort and quality of life, but it does not necessarily indicate that the underlying issue of incontinence has been resolved.
It's important to evaluate the effectiveness of incontinence products in managing leakage and preventing skin breakdown, but they should not be considered a definitive solution for incontinence.
Explore other interventions to address the root cause of incontinence, such as bladder training, pelvic floor muscle exercises, or medications.
Choice C rationale:
Increased activity and socialization can be positive outcomes of effective incontinence management, but they are not direct measures of the priority nursing diagnosis.
Improved social engagement and activity levels might reflect a reduction in incontinence episodes and increased confidence, but they should not be the sole indicators of success.
Assess for specific changes in incontinence frequency, severity, and impact on daily life to more accurately gauge progress.
Choice D rationale:
Intact, healthy skin in the perineal area is a direct and objective indicator that a priority nursing diagnosis of urinary incontinence has been met.
It demonstrates that the interventions implemented to manage incontinence have been effective in preventing skin breakdown and irritation, which are common complications of incontinence.
This finding aligns with the goal of maintaining skin integrity and preventing infection, which are essential aspects of incontinence care.