Question

A nurse is applying the principles of Standard and Contact Precautions in the care of a hospital client. Which action violates these principles?

A.) The nurse performs hand hygiene after touching the client's surroundings
B.) The nurse applies non-medical hand cream after performing hand hygiene
C.) The nurse removes her gown and then removes her gloves
D.) The nurse performs hand hygiene before putting on gloves

Answer 1

The action that violates the principles of Standard and Contact Precautions is the application of non-medical hand cream after performing hand hygiene, as it could reintroduce bacteria and risk contamination.

Step-by-step explanation:

The violation among the actions listed is the nurse applying non-medical hand cream after performing hand hygiene. After washing hands, the application of non-medical hand creams can potentially compromise the effect of the handwashing and even contaminate the nurse's hands, since these creams may not be compatible with the hospital's infection control standards. Hand hygiene practices aim to remove and kill pathogens that might be on a healthcare worker's hands. Therefore, applying non-medical hand lotion immediately after handwashing could reintroduce bacteria, risking contamination.

Correct hand hygiene following the removal of gloves and gowns is crucial in preventing the spread of infection. Standard and Contact Precautions require that after removing protective clothing, healthcare workers must avoid contamination and perform hand hygiene. Moreover, when removing personal protective equipment (PPE), the gloves should be removed before the gown because the outer surface of the gloves might be contaminated, and removing the gown first could lead to contamination of the hands.