The nurse is teaching a client about use of syringes and needles for home administration of medications. Which action by the client indicates an understanding of standard precautions?

A. Washes hands before handling the needle and syringe:

This action demonstrates an understanding of standard precautions. Hand hygiene, including washing hands before and after handling needles and syringes, is a fundamental component of standard precautions.

B. Wears gloves to dispose of the needle and syringe:

While wearing gloves is important for protecting oneself from potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens, it is part of personal protective equipment (PPE) precautions rather than standard precautions. Standard precautions primarily focus on hand hygiene and barrier precautions such as gloves, gowns, and masks when appropriate.

C. Dons a face mask before administering the medication:

Wearing a face mask is not typically necessary for routine administration of medications, unless there is a risk of splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids. While it's important to protect mucous membranes from exposure to potentially infectious materials, the routine use of a face mask for medication administration is not a component of standard precautions.

D. Removes needle before discarding used syringes:

This action is unsafe and does not demonstrate an understanding of standard precautions. Removing the needle before discarding the syringe increases the risk of needlestick injuries. Proper needle disposal involves keeping the needle intact with the syringe and disposing of them together in a puncture-resistant container.

A. Use standard precautions and wear a mask.

While standard precautions should always be followed to prevent the spread of infection, wearing a mask is not specifically indicated for MRSA unless there is a risk of respiratory transmission. Contact precautions are more appropriate for MRSA.

B. Institute contact precautions for staff and visitors.

Contact precautions are necessary to prevent the spread of MRSA, a highly contagious bacteria. This involves using gloves and gowns when entering the client's room to prevent transmission of the bacteria to others.

C. Send wound drainage for culture and sensitivity.

Culturing the wound drainage helps identify the specific bacteria causing the infection and determines the most effective antibiotics for treatment (sensitivity testing).

D. Explain the purpose of a low bacteria diet.

A low bacteria diet is not typically indicated for managing MRSA infections. Instead, the focus should be on wound care, antibiotic therapy, and infection control measures to address the MRSA infection.

E. Monitor the client's white blood cell count.

Monitoring the white blood cell count helps assess the client's immune response and the severity of the infection. Elevated white blood cell counts may indicate an active infection and the need for further intervention.