Which of the following would prevent cross-contamination by direct contact and decrease the risk of infection in the burn-injured patient?

Question

a. Gloves are the only personal protective equipment worn when changing dressings that are in direct contact of body fluids.
b. Family members only have to wear a gown when visiting a patient because masks will increase anxiety in the patient.
c. Changing gloves and hand washing should be done when moving from area to area on the same patient.
d. Sharing of equipment between patients in the same room does not show evidence of cross-contamination.

Answer 1

C
Cross-contamination by direct contact is a significant source of infection and a subsequent cause of sepsis. Effective hand-washing technique cannot be overemphasized. Nurses must wash their hands and change gloves when moving from area to area on the same patient. For example, after changing the chest dressing, which may be contaminated with sputum from the tracheostomy, hands must be washed and gloves changed before the nurse moves to the legs. Gowns, gloves, and masks should be worn whenever contact with body fluids occurs. These garments also must be changed and hands washed before caring for a different patient. Maintaining patient-specific dressings and topical agents is recommended. Equipment such as thermometers, intravenous pumps, and stethoscopes should be designated for each patient or, when shared, should be cleaned with appropriate bactericidal cleansers between patients.