Fundamentals of Nursing Q 364
Using the principles of standard precautions, the nurse would wear gloves in what nursing interventions?
A. Providing a back massage.
B. Feeding a client.
C. Providing hair care.
D. Providing oral hygiene.
Correct Answer: D. Providing oral hygiene
Doing oral care requires the nurse to wear gloves. Standard precautions apply to the care of all patients, irrespective of their disease state. These precautions apply when there is a risk of potential exposure to (1) blood; (2) all body fluids, secretions, and excretions, except sweat, regardless of whether or not they contain visible blood; (3) non-intact skin, and (4) mucous membranes. This includes the use of hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE), with hand hygiene being the single most important means to prevent transmission of disease.
Option A: Must be worn when touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin. Change when there is contact with potentially infected material in the same patient to avoid cross-contamination. Remove before touching surfaces and clean items. Wearing gloves does not mitigate the need for proper hand hygiene.
Option B: Hand washing after feeding the client is sufficient. Handwashing with soap and water for at least 40 to 60 seconds, making sure not to use clean hands to turn off the faucet, must be performed if hands are visibly soiled, after using the restroom, or if potential exposure to spore-forming organisms.
Option C: Gloves are not needed in providing hair care. Hand rubbing with alcohol applied generously to cover hands completely should be performed and hands rubbed until dry.