The nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU) is giving unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) directions for bathing a client who has a surgical incision infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which instructions would be most effective for reducing infection?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Current evidence supports the recommendation for clients with MRSA or other drug-resistant organisms to be bathed with pre-moistened cloths or warm water containing chlorhexidine solution. Bathing clients in this way can significantly reduce MRSA infection. (Option A) This action may be appropriate for a client in the home setting. However, most clients in the ICU are unable to go to the shower or have monitoring equipment and/or invasive lines that would make bathing difficult. Chlorhexidine is recommended in the hospital setting. (Option B) It is not appropriate to delay bathing as the client's skin and incision need to be cleaned. Delay should only occur if the client is unstable. (Option C) This option would be appropriate if the bath water contained a solution of chlorhexidine. Educational objective: Pre-moistened cloths or warm water with a chlorhexidine solution should be used when bathing clients infected with MRSA or other drug-resistant organisms.

The Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Is Giving