A nurse is working on a pediatric unit and notices that many of the children on the unit are admitted with a communicable disease. She realizes that the best action she can take to prevent the spread of communicable diseases is:

Question

1. Hand washing.
2. Wearing gloves.
3. Wearing gloves and a gown.
4. Placing the child in isolation.

Answer 1

1
Feedback
1. The key to preventing the spread of communicable diseases is hand washing. Caregivers and children must be taught to wash hands before and after caring for infants and children, before eating and handling food, after using the bathroom or changing diapers, after handling animals, after playing in water or in the sand, and after using tissues to wipe eyes or noses.
2. Wearing gloves is only effective if hand washing occurs before and after use.
3. Gowning and gloving are the not primary barriers for preventing the spread of disease.
4. The child does not need isolation at this time.