A home health nurse is caring for a client who has methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A.
Double-bag soiled dressings in polyethylene bags.
B.
Remove fresh flowers from the client’s home.
C.
Encourage the client to use a HEPA filter in the house.
D.
Wear a mask when within 3 feet of the client.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is A. Double-bag soiled dressings in polyethylene bags.
Explanation:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat. It is primarily spread through direct contact, particularly through contact with contaminated surfaces or materials like wound dressings. In a home health care setting, infection control measures are crucial to prevent the spread of MRSA.
Double-Bagging Soiled Dressings (Answer A):
The nurse should double-bag soiled dressings in polyethylene bags to prevent cross-contamination. This process ensures that the contaminated materials are securely contained, minimizing the risk of spreading the infection to others, especially since MRSA can survive on surfaces. Double-bagging adds an extra layer of protection against accidental leakage or exposure to infectious material.
Other Options:
- B. Remove fresh flowers from the client’s home: Fresh flowers are often discouraged in hospital settings for immunocompromised patients to prevent fungal infections. However, this is unnecessary for MRSA specifically because the bacteria spread through contact, not through the air or soil in flowers.
- C. Encourage the client to use a HEPA filter in the house: HEPA filters are used to purify the air, but MRSA does not spread through airborne particles, so this would not prevent the transmission of MRSA. The infection is spread primarily through direct or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces.
- D. Wear a mask when within 3 feet of the client: MRSA is not airborne, so wearing a mask when in close proximity to the client is unnecessary unless there is another condition, such as a respiratory infection, that would warrant such protection.
By adhering to contact precautions like proper disposal of contaminated materials, the nurse can effectively prevent the spread of MRSA.