Question

You remove a client's clothes to give her a shower. A dressing falls from her hip onto the floor, revealing a minor wound. The wound is not bleeding, but there is a small amount of old, dried blood on the dressing. You should:

A. pick the dressing up and put it in the open trash can.
B. apply gloves and place the dressing in a plastic bag.
C. get the nurse in charge at once.
D. do nothing, as this is not a nurse aide responsibility.

Answer 1

The nurse aide should apply gloves and dispose of the used dressing in a plastic bag, and inform the nurse in charge if the wound requires further attention.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse aide should take care to handle the situation with professionalism and care for the client's well-being. The correct action would be to apply gloves and place the used dressing in a plastic bag, ensuring proper disposal to maintain a sanitary environment and prevent any potential infection. If the wound appears to need medical attention beyond simple dressing, the nurse aide should inform the nurse in charge to ensure that the client receives proper medical care. However, there is no clear indication that there is an urgent need to get the nurse in charge at once, especially if the wound is not new, actively bleeding, or showing signs of infection.