Question

A nurse is assisting with teaching about personal protective equipment with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following instruction should the nurse include?

1) Wear gloves when coming into contact with bodily fluids
2) Wear a mask when in close proximity to a patient with a contagious respiratory illness
3) Wear a gown when providing care to a patient with an open wound
4) Wear goggles when performing a procedure that may result in splashing of bodily fluids

Answer 1

Instructions for PPE include wearing gloves for bodily fluids, a mask for respiratory illnesses, a gown for open wounds, and goggles for splashing fluids. Hand hygiene, including thorough handwashing and proper disposal of PPE, is vitally important.

Step-by-step explanation:

When educating a newly licensed nurse about personal protective equipment (PPE), it is essential to include the following instructions:

1. Wear gloves when coming into contact with bodily fluids to prevent transmission of infections and contamination.
2. Wear a mask when in close proximity to a patient with a contagious respiratory illness to prevent the spread of airborne pathogens.
3. Wear a gown when providing care to a patient with an open wound to protect both the patient and healthcare worker from potential infection.
4. Wear goggles when performing a procedure that may result in splashing of bodily fluids to protect the eyes from potential infectious agents.

Additionally, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of handwashing as a primary measure to prevent infection. Hands should be washed thoroughly between every patient contact, after the removal of gloves, and after contact with bodily fluids. Furthermore, emphasize proper disposal of gloves and other PPE in the biohazard garbage and the need for complete hand hygiene, which goes beyond just handwashing when scrubbing for surgical procedures.