Final answer:
The nursing staff should observe universal precautions for a client diagnosed with hepatitis B in the hospital, which includes using protective barriers and following strict protocols for hygiene and disinfection. These precautions are designed to reduce the risk of transmitting bloodborne pathogens.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a client has been diagnosed with hepatitis B and has been hospitalized, the nursing staff should observe universal precautions. Universal precautions involve a set of infection control protocols designed to reduce the risk of transmission of bloodborne pathogens through exposure to blood and certain body fluids. It mandates the use of protective barriers such as gloves, gowns, and masks to prevent skin and mucous membrane exposures when in contact with any patient’s blood or body fluid that could potentially contain the virus.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) can be transmitted through exposure to infectious blood or body fluids such as semen or saliva. In healthcare settings, transmission could be reduced by wearing gloves and face protection, using disposable syringes and needles, and practicing stringent hand hygiene. Additionally, the disinfection of all items coming into contact with patients using recommended solutions, and strict equipment sterilization can further mitigate the risk. Health-care agencies are required to offer the HBV vaccine to all workers who have occupational exposure to blood and/or other infectious materials, which significantly decreases the rate of HBV infection among health-care workers.