Deck 23: Care of Patients with Infection

Question 1

A student nurse asks why brushing clients' teeth with a toothbrush in the intensive care unit is important to infection control.What response by the registered nurse is best?

A) "It mechanically removes biofilm on teeth."
B) "It's easier to clean all surfaces with a brush."
C) "Oral care is important to all our clients."
D) "Toothbrushes last longer than oral swabs."

Answer 1

"It mechanically removes biofilm on teeth."

Question 2

The student nurse learns that effective antimicrobial therapy requires which factors to be present? (Select all that apply.)

A) Appropriate drug
B) Proper route of administration
C) Standardized peak levels
D) Sufficient dose
E) Sufficient length of treatment

Answer 2

Appropriate drug
Proper route of administration
Sufficient dose
Sufficient length of treatment

Question 3

A client has been placed on Contact Precautions.The client's family is very afraid to visit for fear of being "contaminated" by the client.What action by the nurse is best?

A) Explain to them that these precautions are mandated by law.
B) Inform them that the infection is the issue, not the client.
C) Reassure the family that they will not get the infection.
D) Tell the family it is important that they visit the client.

Answer 3

Inform them that the infection is the issue, not the client.

Question 4

The nursing instructor explaining infection tells students that which factor is the best and most important barrier to infection?

A) Colonization by host bacteria
B) Gastrointestinal secretions
C) Inflammatory processes
D) Skin and mucous membranes

Question 5

A client has been admitted to the hospital for a virulent infection and is started on antibiotics.The client has laboratory work pending to determine if the diagnosis is meningitis.After starting the antibiotics,what action by the nurse is best?

A) Assess the client frequently for worsening of his or her condition.
B) Delegate comfort measures to unlicensed assistive personnel.
C) Ensure the client is placed on Contact Precautions.
D) Restrict visitors to the immediate family only.

Question 6

A hospital unit is participating in a bioterrorism drill.A "client" is admitted with inhalation anthrax.Under what type of precautions does the charge nurse admit the "client"?

A) Airborne Precautions
B) Contact Precautions
C) Droplet Precautions
D) Standard Precautions

Question 7

A client is admitted with possible sepsis.Which action should the nurse perform first?

A) Administer antibiotics.
B) Give an antipyretic.
C) Place the client in isolation.
D) Obtain specified cultures.

Question 8

A nurse is caring for a client who has methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)infection cultured from the urine.What action by the nurse is most appropriate?

A) Prepare to administer vancomycin (Vancocin).
B) Strictly limit visitors to immediate family only.
C) Wash hands only after taking off gloves after care.
D) Wear a respirator when handling urine output.

Question 9

A nurse receives report from the laboratory on a client who was admitted for fever.The laboratory technician states that the client has "a shift to the left" on the white blood cell count.What action by the nurse is most important?

A) Document findings and continue monitoring.
B) Notify the provider and request antibiotics.
C) Place the client in protective isolation.
D) Tell the client this signifies inflammation.

Question 10

A nurse is observing as an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)performs hygiene and changes a client's bed linens.What action by the UAP requires intervention by the nurse?

A) Not using gloves while combing the client's hair
B) Rinsing the client's commode pan after use
C) Shaking dirty linens and placing them on the floor
D) Wearing gloves when providing perianal care

Question 11

A client is hospitalized and on multiple antibiotics.The client develops frequent diarrhea.What action by the nurse is most important?

A) Consult with the provider about obtaining stool cultures.
B) Delegate frequent perianal care to unlicensed assistive personnel.
C) Place the client on NPO status until the diarrhea resolves.
D) Request a prescription for an anti-diarrheal medication.

Question 12

A nursing manager is concerned about the number of infections on the hospital unit.What action by the manager would best help prevent these infections?

A) Auditing staff members' hand hygiene practices
B) Ensuring clients are placed in appropriate isolation
C) Establishing a policy to remove urinary catheters quickly
D) Teaching staff members about infection control methods

Question 13

The student nurse caring for clients understands that which factors must be present to transmit infection? (Select all that apply.)

A) Colonization
B) Host
C) Mode of transmission
D) Portal of entry
E) Reservoir

Question 14

A student nurse asks the nursing instructor why older adults are more prone to infection than other adults.What reasons does the nursing instructor give? (Select all that apply.)

A) Age-related decrease in immune function
B) Decreased cough and gag reflexes
C) Diminished acidity of gastric secretions
D) Increased lymphocytes and antibodies
E) Thinning skin that is less protective

Question 15

Which action by the nurse is most helpful to prevent clients from acquiring infections while hospitalized?

A) Assessing skin and mucous membranes
B) Consistently using appropriate hand hygiene
C) Monitoring daily white blood cell counts
D) Teaching visitors not to visit if they are ill

Question 16

A client has a wound infection to the right arm.What comfort measure can the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

A) Elevate the arm above the level of the heart.
B) Order a fan to help cool the client if feverish.
C) Place cool, wet cloths on top of the wound.
D) Take the client's temperature every 4 hours.

Question 17

A hospitalized client is placed on Contact Precautions.The client needs to have a computed tomography (CT)scan.What action by the nurse is most appropriate?

A) Ensure that the radiology department is aware of the isolation precautions.
B) Plan to travel with the client to ensure appropriate precautions are used.
C) No special precautions are needed when this client leaves the unit.
D) Notify the physician that the client cannot leave the room for the CT scan.

Question 18

A client is being admitted with suspected tuberculosis (TB).What actions by the nurse are best? (Select all that apply.)

A) Admit the client to a negative-airflow room.
B) Maintain a distance of 3 feet from the client at all times.
C) Order specialized masks/respirators for caregiving.
D) Other than wearing gloves, no special actions are needed.
E) Wash hands with chlorhexidine after providing care.

Question 19

A client is admitted with fever,myalgia,and a papular rash on the face,palms,and soles of the feet.What action should the nurse take first?

A) Obtain cultures of the lesions.
B) Place the client on Airborne Precautions.
C) Prepare to administer antibiotics.
D) Provide comfort measures for the rash.

Question 20

Which statements are true regarding Standard Precautions? (Select all that apply.)

A) Always wear a gown when performing hygiene on clients.
B) Sneeze into your sleeve or into a tissue that you throw away.
C) Remain 3 feet away from any client who has an infection.
D) Use personal protective equipment as needed for client care.
E) Wear gloves when touching client excretions or secretions.

Question 21

A client with an infection has a fever.What actions by the nurse help increase the client's comfort? (Select all that apply.)

A) Administer antipyretics around the clock.
B) Change the client's gown and linens when damp.
C) Offer cool fluids to the client frequently.
D) Place ice bags in the armpits and groin.
E) Provide a fan to help cool the client.