Question

The nurse observes a co-worker putting a contaminated dressing on the client's bedside table. Which action is most appropriate? A. Remove the contaminated dressing and clean the surface of the bedside table with a hypochlorite solution B. Wait until after the co-worker finishes and then request housekeeping to completely clean the room C. Remove the contaminated dressing and place it in the client's waste can D. Ask the co-worker why he placed the contaminated dressing on the client's bedside table

Short answer

Answer: The most appropriate course of action is to remove the contaminated dressing and clean the surface of the bedside table with a hypochlorite solution. This is the best option because it directly and effectively addresses the issue of contamination and prevents the spread of infection by ensuring a clean environment for the client.

Step-by-step solution

List out all available options

From the exercise, we have 4 possible actions given: A. Remove the contaminated dressing and clean the surface of the bedside table with a hypochlorite solution B. Wait until after the co-worker finishes and then request housekeeping to completely clean the room C. Remove the contaminated dressing and place it in the client's waste can D. Ask the co-worker why he placed the contaminated dressing on the client's bedside table

Evaluate the possible actions

Now, let us analyze each option: A. This option involves direct action in removing the contaminated dressing and cleaning the bedside table. It addresses the issue immediately and makes sure the area remains as clean as possible to prevent infection. B. This option delays taking action and relies on housekeeping to clean the entire room. The delay in cleaning the contaminated area can increase the risk of infection. C. This option only removes the contaminated dressing without cleaning the area, which may not be enough to prevent the spread of infection. D. Questioning the co-worker may be useful to educate them about the importance of infection control, but it doesn't directly address the issue of the contaminated dressing on the table.

Choose the most appropriate action

Based on the evaluation, Option A is the most appropriate action to take, as it deals with the issue directly and effectively by removing the contaminated dressing and cleaning the bedside table with a hypochlorite solution. This mitigates the risk of infection while ensuring a clean environment for the client.