Question

The new nurse is approached by a surveyor from the department of health. The surveyor asks the nurse about the best way to prevent the spread of infection. Which answer by the nurse is correct?

o "Let me get my preceptor."
o "Wash your hands before and after any client care."
o "Clean all instruments and work surfaces with an approved disinfectant."
o "Ensure proper disposal of all items contaminated with blood or body fluids."

Answer 1

The correct response is that washing hands before and after any client care is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection. It is a well-established fact supported by health organizations like the CDC and WHO.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should respond to the surveyor by stating that washing hands before and after any client care is the best way to prevent the spread of infection. Hand hygiene is universally recognized as the primary measure to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) both emphasize the importance of proper handwashing as a simple yet effective method to prevent the transmission of pathogens and reduce infection rates.

While cleaning all instruments and work surfaces with an approved disinfectant and ensuring proper disposal of all items contaminated with blood or body fluids are also critical steps in preventing infection, they are supplementary practices that support, but do not replace, the fundamental act of hand hygiene.