By providing measures to reduce skin breakdown, how does the nurse break the chain of infection?

Choice A reason: Properly disposing of contaminated equipment is an important infectioncontrol measure, but it is not the most effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens during client care. Contaminated equipment, such as gloves, gowns, masks, or needles, should be disposed of in designated containers or bags to prevent exposure or injury to others. However, this measure does not eliminate the risk of transmission of pathogens from the hands of the health care worker to the client or the environment.

Choice B reason: Discarding used syringes into appropriate containers is an important infectioncontrol measure, but it is not the most effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens during client care. Used syringes, especially those that contain blood or body fluids, should be discarded into punctureresistant, leakproof, and labeled containers to prevent needlestick injuries or exposure to others. However, this measure does not eliminate the risk of transmission of pathogens from the hands of the health care worker to the client or the environment.

Choice C reason: Changing soiled linens is an important infectioncontrol measure, but it is not the most effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens during client care. Soiled linens, especially those that contain blood or body fluids, should be changed and handled with gloves and minimal agitation to prevent contamination or aerosolization of pathogens. However, this measure does not eliminate the risk of transmission of pathogens from the hands of the health care worker to the client or the environment.

Choice D reason: Performing hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens during client care, because it reduces the number of microorganisms on the hands of the health care worker, which are the most common source and mode of transmission of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed before and after contact with the client, after contact with potentially infectious materials, after removing gloves, and before and after performing invasive procedures. Hand hygiene can be performed by washing with soap and water or using alcoholbased hand rubs.

Choice A reason: Putting on nonsterile gloves is the first action that the nurse should take before performing a wound culture. This is to protect the nurse from exposure to blood and body fluids and to prevent crosscontamination. Nonsterile gloves are sufficient for wound care as long as the wound is not sterile or infected.

Choice B reason: Gently removing the soiled dressings is the second action that the nurse should take after putting on nonsterile gloves. This is to expose the wound and prepare it for irrigation and culture. The nurse should discard the soiled dressings in a biohazard bag and observe the wound for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or odor.

Choice C reason: Irrigating the wound is the third action that the nurse should take after removing the soiled dressings. This is to cleanse the wound and remove any debris or bacteria. The nurse should use sterile normal saline or an antiseptic solution as prescribed by the provider and irrigate the wound with a syringe or a spray bottle. The nurse should avoid touching the wound with the irrigation device and collect the runoff in a basin or a towel.

Choice D reason: Labeling the specimen tube is the last action that the nurse should take after irrigating the wound and obtaining the culture. This is to ensure that the specimen is correctly identified and processed by the laboratory. The nurse should label the tube with the client's name, date, time, and site of the wound. The nurse should also document the procedure and the wound assessment in the client's chart.