Question

Visitors to a hospitalized client discover a poster about‚ 'universal precautions' outside the client‚s room. They ask the nurse providing care about the meaning of that phrase. Which explanation can the nurse give‚ them?

1) Techniques used with seriously ill clients to prevent relapse
2) Techniques used with all clients to decrease risk of infection
3) Techniques used by specialized nurses in giving care
4) Techniques used in certain particularly invasive procedures

Answer 1

Universal precautions are techniques used with all clients in healthcare settings to decrease the risk of infection, which include diligent hand hygiene and maintaining a sterile field during procedures.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term ‘universal precautions’ refers to a set of practices that healthcare workers follow to prevent the spread of infection and protect both themselves and their clients from exposure to infectious agents. The correct explanation to provide to visitors is that these precautions are techniques used with all clients to decrease the risk of infection. This includes following stringent hand hygiene practices, careful disinfection of items coming into contact with the patient and maintaining a sterile field during medical procedures that carry a risk of contamination.

Universal precautions are vital in preventing the spread of both nosocomial and iatrogenic diseases, which are infections acquired within hospital settings or as a result of medical procedures, respectively. The importance of these precautions is supported by historical evidence, such as the case of Ignaz Semmelweis, who dramatically reduced maternal mortality by introducing handwashing protocols. By adhering to universal precautions, healthcare professionals can minimize the risk of transmitting infectious agents, thus upholding patient safety.