Question

The nurse should be aware of the equipment used in an isolation room and the indications for isolation. If the disposable thermometer indicates fever, it is important to confirm it using an electronic thermometer. The nurse also needs to review agency policies and procedures. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can cause a health care-associated infection (HAI). Therefore, the nurse has to take precautions to prevent the spread of infections within the hospital. Specimen containers are to be kept in the patient's bathroom appropriately. If a stethoscope is to be reused, the diaphragm or bell should be cleaned with alcohol, rather than soap, and should be set aside on a clean surface to dry completely. After the sample is collected, labeling on the specimen container is to be done at the bedside of the patient to avoid errors. (True/False)

Answer 1

To control the spread of MRSA and other HAIs, nurses must follow strict protocols for hand hygiene, use of sterile equipment, and meticulous cleaning and disinfection practices. Specimens must be correctly labeled at the bedside, and all waste should be effectively treated to prevent further contamination.

Step-by-step explanation:

The isolation of patients with communicable infections like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is critical to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Nurses must be vigilant with hand hygiene and follow stringent protocols for disinfecting and using equipment. This involves using personal protective equipment (PPE), performing medical procedures in a sterile field, and ensuring all tools, such as inoculating loops, needles, and pipettes, are sterilized. Equipment like stethoscopes should be cleaned with alcohol and allowed to dry on a clean surface to maintain aseptic conditions. Additionally, proper labeling of specimens at the patient's bedside is crucial to prevent errors and further infection propagation.

To maintain an aseptic work environment, pre-sterilized tools and strict adherence to aseptic techniques are necessary. Those handling contaminated specimens or equipment must employ appropriate protective measures and decontaminate properly post-exposure. All contaminated waste must be properly treated, either through incineration or autoclaving, to ensure that infectious agents are neutralized.