The nurse is providing discharge instructions for a client who has acute conjunctivitis from Staphylococcus. Which should the nurse include when teaching this client?
Select all that apply.
A) "It is ok to rub your eyes with a clean, soft cloth for itching."
B) "Do not share towels, make-up, or contact lenses with anyone else, as this can spread the infection."
C) "You can soak your eyelids with warm saline to soften crusts and exudates that may form."
D) "Wash your hands before cleansing the eye and administering eye drops."
E) "You may go back to sharing towels when the infection is gone."
Answer: B, C, D
Sharing supplies, such as towels, make-up, or contact lenses, is never a good idea, due to potential for cross-contamination from person to person. But during an actual infection, instructions should include discouragement of using the same equipment after the infection is cleared. Towels need to be washed in hot water. Make-up and contact lenses should be discarded and not reused. Therefore, this action should be included in instructions. Prevention of cross-contamination by handwashing (hand hygiene) will minimize the risk of bringing in other organisms to an already infected eye. This action should be encouraged at all times, but especially when there already is an infection present. Soaking the lids with sterile saline will soften the crusts from exudates that accompany the Staphylococcus infection and should be included in the instructions. The action of rubbing one's eyes can traumatize the eyes further and should not be encouraged. Rubbing also brings the risk of cross-contamination from other sources, including the other eye if only one eye is involved. This action is inappropriate, and should not be included in care.
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