Question

A nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse perform a sterile dressing change on a client who has a central venous catheter. Which of the following actions should the newly licensed nurse take?

A) Instruct the nurse to skip hand hygiene as gloves are already worn.
B) Advise the nurse to clean the catheter site using alcohol swabs.
C) Ensure the nurse uses a mask and sterile gloves during the procedure.
D) Guide the nurse to gently remove the old dressing without disturbing the catheter and use sterile technique throughout the process.

Answer 1

The newly licensed nurse should use a mask and sterile gloves and gently remove the old dressing without disturbing the catheter, using sterile technique throughout the sterile dressing change process. Hand hygiene is crucial and should not be skipped.

Step-by-step explanation:

When performing a sterile dressing change on a client with a central venous catheter, the newly licensed nurse should take several key actions to maintain sterile technique and prevent infection. Among the options provided, the correct actions to take would be to ensure the use of a mask and sterile gloves during the procedure (Option C), and to guide the nurse to gently remove the old dressing without disturbing the catheter and use sterile technique throughout the process (Option D). It is crucial to advise against skipping hand hygiene even when gloves are worn (Option A is incorrect) and while cleaning the catheter site, the use of alcohol swabs may not be appropriate depending on protocol and catheter care guidelines (Option B may not be universally correct).

Effective handwashing is critical for reducing the risk of contamination and infection. Indwelling devices like central venous catheters are susceptible to bloodstream infections; therefore, maintaining aseptic technique is imperative for patient safety. For any medical procedure with a risk of contamination, proper aseptic techniques, including hand hygiene, wearing appropriate attire, and following a checklist of steps can help mitigate the risk of sepsis and other complications.