Final answer:
Nurses should take additional actions beyond standard precautions including the use of personal protective equipment, maintaining rigorous hygiene practices, and staying informed about disease outbreaks. Special attention is required when working with infectious agents and in labs with BSL-2 classified bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the healthcare setting, nurses must adopt additional safety measures to the standard precautions usually followed. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical, which includes protective clothing, face protection, and cut-resistant gloves. Such protective gear is vital when dealing with infectious agents, hazardous materials, or contaminated equipment. Gloves, for instance, are essential when handling cultures and should be disposed of properly after use.
Hygiene practices are another cornerstone of infection control. Rigorous handwashing with detergent and warm water followed by disinfection with solutions such as 1 N NaOH or a bleach dilution is mandatory after contact with potentially contaminated surfaces. Maintaining personal hygiene and avoiding actions that could lead to cross-contamination, like touching one's face, are fundamental steps in preventing the spread of infection.
Remaining informed on current disease outbreaks and practicing caution with animals are also crucial. In labs working with bacteria classified as BSL-2, extra safety practices are required, including the use of specific lab garments and strict protocols for handling and disposing of potentially infectious material. All personal protective equipment should be donned before interacting with patients or specimens known to be infectious, and all safety procedures must be meticulously followed to ensure health worker safety as well as patient care integrity.