A nurse is supervising an assistive personnel (AP) who is providing client care. The nurse should identify that which of the following actions by the AP demonstrates effective use of supplies?
A.
Wears an N95 mask when bathing a client who has Clostridium difficile
B.
Disposes of contaminated sheets in a linen bag
C.
Wears clean gloves when performing oral hygiene
D.
Empties the sharps container when it is full
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is B. Disposes of contaminated sheets in a linen bag.
Explanation:
Effective use of supplies in a healthcare setting involves appropriate handling and disposal of materials to ensure infection control and safety. Let’s analyze each option to understand why B is the correct choice:
A. Wears an N95 mask when bathing a client who has Clostridium difficile
Incorrect: Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium that causes diarrhea and other intestinal issues. The primary route of transmission is through contact with contaminated surfaces or hands. In this case, wearing an N95 mask is not necessary because C. difficile is not an airborne pathogen. Standard precautions, including proper hand hygiene and the use of gloves and gowns, are more appropriate for this situation. The use of N95 masks is generally reserved for airborne infections like tuberculosis or COVID-19.
B. Disposes of contaminated sheets in a linen bag
Correct: Proper disposal of contaminated linens is crucial for maintaining infection control and effective use of supplies. Contaminated sheets should be placed in a designated linen bag to prevent the spread of infection and ensure they are handled properly for laundering. This action helps prevent cross-contamination and protects both the healthcare personnel and other patients from potential exposure to pathogens.
C. Wears clean gloves when performing oral hygiene
Incorrect: While wearing gloves is important for maintaining hygiene and preventing infection, clean gloves alone do not demonstrate the effective use of supplies. For oral hygiene, gloves are indeed necessary to prevent direct contact with bodily fluids, but the critical aspect here is whether the gloves are sterile or clean and whether other infection control measures are also followed.
D. Empties the sharps container when it is full
Incorrect: Empting the sharps container is an important action, but it is typically the responsibility of designated personnel, such as nurses or other healthcare staff, rather than assistive personnel (AP). Moreover, this task is more related to the maintenance of safety rather than the effective use of supplies. Ensuring that sharps containers are emptied properly is crucial, but it is not directly related to the initial use of supplies.
In summary, option B correctly demonstrates the effective use of supplies by ensuring that contaminated sheets are disposed of properly to maintain infection control and prevent the spread of pathogens.