Final answer:
The nurse aide should place the client's soiled bedsheets in a designated dirty linen container and follow strict hygiene protocols with protective clothing and thorough hand washing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse aide should place the client's soiled bedsheets in a designated dirty linen container or bag. This is important to prevent the spread of infection and ensure proper hygiene within the healthcare facility. Personnel handling contaminated linen should wear protective clothing, including a protective coat, face protection, and cut-resistant gloves. After contact with soiled linen, it's critical to practice thorough hand hygiene using detergent and warm water, followed by disinfection with a solution such as 1 N NaOH or a bleach dilution.
In situations where a patient has been in bed for an extended period, like the one who refused to leave the bed for seven years, extra caution is required due to the elevated risk of infection and skin issues. In such cases, proper hygiene and frequent monitoring are essential to manage health complications that may arise from prolonged immobility.
While the handling of contaminated items and personal protective equipment procedures are essential aspects of a nurse aide's duties, it is also important for the nurse aide to work with the wider healthcare team to ensure patient safety, accurate procedure documentation, and effective communication regarding patient care and equipment issues.