Question

A nurse is planning care for a client who has extensive burn injuries and is immunocompromised. Which of the following precautions should the nurse include in the plan of care to prevent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection?

1) Administering prophylactic antibiotics
2) Using sterile technique during dressing changes
3) Encouraging frequent handwashing
4) Implementing strict isolation precautions

Answer 1

To prevent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in immunocompromised burn patients, the nurse should use sterile technique during dressing changes, encourage frequent handwashing, and implement strict isolation precautions. Prophylactic antibiotics are not a standard measure in this setting.

Step-by-step explanation:

To prevent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in a client with extensive burn injuries who is immunocompromised, the nurse should include several specific precautions in the plan of care:

• Using sterile technique during dressing changes to minimize the risk of introducing infections into open wounds.
• Encouraging frequent handwashing among all healthcare workers and visitors, as hand hygiene is one of the most important measures to prevent the spread of infections.
• Implementing strict isolation precautions to limit exposure to pathogens from other patients, hospital staff, and visitors.

While administering prophylactic antibiotics is sometimes considered, it is not a standard prevention measure due to the risk of developing antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Instead, maintaining a sterile environment and practicing good hygiene are key strategies for prevention.

Furthermore, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known to cause several types of skin infections such as wound and burn infections, hot tub rash, and other opportunistic infections. It is critical that procedures with a risk for contamination, such as dressing changes and catheter insertions, maintain a sterile field through proper aseptic technique to prevent infections like sepsis.