The nurse is preparing to send a cerebrospinal fluid sample to the laboratory. Which actions does the nurse implement during this procedure? (Select all that apply.)

Question

a. Use Standard Precautions.
b. Wear sterile gloves when handling the specimen.
c. Place the specimen on ice.
d. Send the specimen in a sealed bag dis-playing a biohazard symbol.
e. Confirm the specimen label with the client's identification band.

Answer 1

A, D, E
The Standard Precautions approach is based on the premise that a medical history and a physical examination cannot reliably identify all those infected by pathogens. Consequently, health care workers should consider all human blood and body fluids as potentially infectious and must use appropriate protective measures to prevent possible exposure. Specimens should be labeled ap-propriately and transported in a sealed bag displaying the biohazard symbol. The nurse should use Standard Precautions when handling the specimen. The nurse should also confirm the identi-fication of the client and the specimen. The nurse does not need sterile gloves, and the specimen should not be iced.