Final answer:
Nursing care guidelines include avoiding jewelry that can harbor pathogens, rigorous handwashing, using personal protective equipment, proper disinfection practices, and isolation when sick to prevent the spread of infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The general nursing care guidelines that a nurse should follow when caring for clients in a health care facility include several key practices to prevent the spread of infection. Firstly, a nurse should avoid jewelry with prongs or protruding stones that could potentially harbor pathogens or tear gloves. They must also practice proper handwashing as described by the CDC, which involves five specific steps and should be performed before, during, and after various activities, especially those involving patient contact.
Secondly, when dealing with infectious diseases or contaminated materials, the frontline staff should use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as protective coats, face protection, and cut-resistant gloves. After any contact with potentially infectious materials, staff should wash their skin with detergent and water followed by disinfection procedures. Strict protocols are in place for handling and disposing of contaminated waste, and infection control measures must be taken seriously, such as using a 10% bleach solution for disinfecting surfaces.
Lastly, anyone who is sick, including health care workers, should avoid contact with others to prevent the spread of infection. If they have symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or fever, they should not come to work. Covering one's mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing and not sharing personal items are other important measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.