A female client with viral hepatitis A is being treated in an acute care facility. Because the client requires enteric precautions, the nurse should:
A. Place the client in a private room.
B. Wear a mask when handling the client’s bedpan.
C. Wash the hands after touching the client.
D. Wear a gown when providing personal care for the client.
Correct Answer: C. Wash the hands after touching the client.
To maintain enteric precautions, the nurse must wash the hands after touching the client or potentially contaminated articles and before caring for another client. Enteric precautions are taken to prevent infections that are transmitted primarily by direct or indirect contact with fecal material. They’re indicated for patients with known or suspected infectious diarrhea or gastroenteritis.
Option A: A private room is warranted only if the client has poor hygiene — for instance, if the client is unlikely to wash the hands after touching infective material or is likely to share contaminated articles with other clients.
Option B: For enteric precautions, the nurse need not wear a mask. While taking care of the client, the nurse may wear gloves and a gown if she might have contact with body fluids (stool, urine, saliva). A sign on the door to the client’s room reminds staff to wear a gown and gloves when inside the room. Staff will wash their hands before entering and leaving the client’s room.
Option D: For enteric precautions, the nurse must wear a gown only if soiling from fecal matter is likely. Wash hands before entering and before leaving the client’s room. Make sure to use soap and water when leaving the room. Be sure other visitors do this too.
No comments:
Post a Comment