The nurse is caring for a patient in an intensive care unit who needs a bath. Which priority action will the nurse take to decrease the potential for a health care–associated infection?
a. Use local anesthetic on reddened areas.
b. Use nonallergenic tape on dressings.
c. Use a chlorhexidine wash.
d. Use filtered water.
ANS: C
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of chlorhexidine (CHG) bathing for patients in intensive care units, patients who are scheduled for surgery, and all patients with invasive central line catheters as part of MRSA reduction efforts. Using local anesthetics, nonallergenic tape, and filtered water does not affect the cause of a health care–associated infection by, for example, decreasing microbial counts like a CHG bath.
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