Basic Nursing 1st Edition by Judith Wilkinson, Leslie Treas

Exercise 17

PATIENT SITUATION
Mr. Long, a frail elderly man, is in the hospital because he has become dehydrated and needs supportive care. The nurse administered intravenous fluids. Mr. Long also has a fairly large decubitus ulcer (bedsore), which was cultured recently and found to be infected with Staphylococcus aureus. The nurse wore gloves to treat the ulcer. While doing so, she noticed that the IV was infusing too fast and, without thinking, regulated the IV without removing her soiled gloves. The next nurse to regulate the IV did so with her bare hands, and then, without realizing it, rubbed her neck. Later, the nurse developed a boil on her neck, which was infected with S. aureus.
THINKING
Critical Thinking (Reflecting):
a. What was the reservoir for the S. aureus?
b. What was the exit from Mr. Long?
c. What was (were) the fomite(s) for transmission to the nurse?
d. What was the portal of entry into the nurse?