Question

In caring for a client on contact precautions for a draining infected foot ulcer, which action should the nurse perform?

1. Wear a mask during dressing changes.
2. Provide disposable meal trays and silverware.
3. Follow standard precautions in all interactions with the client.
4. Use surgical aseptic technique for all direct contact with the client.

Answer 1

The nurse caring for a client on contact precautions with a draining infected foot ulcer should follow standard precautions in all interactions, use PPE such as gloves and a gown, practice meticulous hand hygiene, and apply surgical aseptic technique for wound care and dressing changes.

Step-by-step explanation:

In caring for a client with contact precautions due to a draining infected foot ulcer, the nurse should prioritize actions that prevent the spread of infection. One such action includes wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when interacting with the client and especially when handling the infected site. In this particular scenario, the nurse should:

1. Follow standard precautions in all interactions with the client to prevent the spread of infection.
2. Use personal protective equipment, such as gloves and a gown, during direct patient care and potentially contaminated items handling.
3. Perform hand hygiene meticulously before and after contact with the client or their environment.
4. Use surgical aseptic technique for procedures that involve direct contact with the client’s wound or during dressing changes to maintain a sterile field and prevent introducing new pathogens into the wound.

Relating to the provided options, the correct action according to the information given would be to 'Follow standard precautions in all interactions with the client' and use PPE according to the type of interaction. Wearing a mask will only be necessary if there is a risk of splash or if indicated per the infection's mode of transmission which is not specified in the question. Disposable meal trays and silverware may help in preventing the spread of a different type of infection but are not particularly relevant to a foot ulcer. Likewise, surgical aseptic technique is indeed important but is reserved for direct contact with the wound and not for all interactions with the client.