The nurse, who is teaching a group of nursing students, asks, "How can nurses reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections?" Which responses by the students best demonstrate understanding? (Select all that apply.)
a. "Nurses can break the chain of transmission of infections."
b. "Nurses can remove invasive devices as soon as possible."
c. "Nurses can use broad-spectrum antibiotics for colonization."
d. "Nurses can reserve antibiotics for only life-threatening infections."
e. "Nurses can encourage patients to get vaccinations."
ANS: A, B, E
Nurses can reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections by breaking any link in the chain of infection. Removing invasive lines and devices as soon as possible can reduce the risk of infection. Encouraging patients to get vaccinations reduces their susceptibility to opportunistic nosocomial infections, because they will have built up antibodies against the organisms.
Using broad-spectrum antibiotics would increase the risk of wiping out good bacteria in the body, leaving the patient susceptible.
Antibiotics should not be reserved for life-threatening infections, for obvious reasons.
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