Final answer:
The nurse should use a bleach solution to clean a blood spill that occurred while inserting a catheter. This is because bleach is a high-level disinfectant capable of destroying all forms of microbial life, in accordance with CDC guidelines for biohazard cleanup.
Step-by-step explanation:
To clean a blood spill that occurred while inserting a catheter, the nurse should use a bleach solution. According to protocols recommended for handling potential biohazards, areas contaminated with blood should be cleaned with a solution such as 1:10 dilution of bleach, which is known to be effective against a wide spectrum of microorganisms, including viruses such as the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Bleach is considered a high-level disinfectant that can destroy all forms of microbial life including spores.
Using a bleach solution aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, which recommend a 10% bleach solution for the disinfection of surfaces. It is important to note that soap and water, while effective for standard cleaning, may not be sufficient for disinfecting blood spills due to their potential infectious nature. An alcohol-based disinfectant could also be used but may not be as effective as bleach against certain pathogens. Ammonia solution should not be used for blood spills due to potential hazardous chemical reactions with bloodborne pathogens.