Question

The nurse recognizes that which of the following would be most appropriate to wear when providing direct care to a client with a cough? A. Mask B. Gown C. Gloves D. Shoe covers

Short answer

Answer: A. Mask.

Step-by-step solution

Analyzing Option A - Mask

A mask protects the nurse's nose and mouth from droplets spread by the client's cough. Because the client's main symptom is a cough, the mask will minimize the risk of respiratory transmission.

Analyzing Option B - Gown

A gown provides protection to the nurse's clothing and reduces the risk of spreading infections through contact with contaminated clothes. However, since the client's main symptom is a cough, a gown might not be the most effective in this scenario.

Analyzing Option C - Gloves

Gloves serve to protect the nurse's hands from becoming contaminated during direct client care. However, a cough is less likely to spread through direct contact with contaminated surfaces or hands compared to respiratory transmission, making gloves less crucial in this specific case.

Analyzing Option D - Shoe covers

Shoe covers protect the nurse's shoes from contamination and minimize the spread of infection via footwear. However, a client with a cough is not likely to spread the infection through the floor. Therefore, shoe covers are not the most appropriate PPE in this situation.

Determining the Most Appropriate PPE

Based on the analysis, a mask is the most appropriate personal protective equipment for a nurse to wear when providing direct care to a client with a cough. The mask will provide protection against respiratory transmission, which is the primary concern in this scenario.

Answer

The correct answer is A. Mask.

Key concepts

Respiratory Transmission Prevention

Understanding the mechanisms through which respiratory infections spread is vital for anyone in the healthcare sector. Prevention of respiratory transmission is not just about protecting oneself but also about minimizing the risk of transmitting infections to others. It is essential to recognize that diseases can be spread through droplets expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

Respiratory droplets land on surfaces or may be inhaled by others nearby, which emphasizes the importance of wearing a mask. Masks act as a barrier, trapping these droplets and significantly reducing the risk of inhalation by others. The efficiency of masks for respiratory transmission prevention has been well-documented in various clinical settings. It is a straightforward yet effective tool to prioritize in situations like the one presented in the exercise, where a patient's cough is the primary concern for transmission.

PPE for Healthcare Workers

For healthcare workers, personal protective equipment (PPE) is their first line of defense against infections.

Protective garments such as gowns, gloves, masks, and shoe covers each have a specific role in infection control. Gowns protect clothing from becoming contaminated, which is crucial since clothing can carry infectious agents. Gloves are essential when handling potentially contaminated materials or touching patients directly. Although in the scenario of a patient with a cough, gloves are important, they are not the primary PPE since the risk of surface contamination is lower compared to respiratory droplet transmission.

Lastly, shoe covers aim to prevent contamination of the healthcare environment, particularly in surgical or sterile areas, although they would not be the most critical PPE for respiratory ailments. Understanding the appropriate use of each type of PPE based on the mode of transmission is a key competency for nursing staff to ensure both their safety and that of the patients.

NCLEX-PN Exam Preparation

The NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses) is a pivotal exam for nursing students wishing to become licensed practical nurses. It tests knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for safe and effective nursing practice.

As part of the NCLEX-PN exam preparation process, studying questions that assess one's ability to understand and choose the correct PPE is crucial. The textbook exercise above exemplifies the type of question that can arise on the exam, where a nurse must identify the appropriate PPE based on a patient's symptoms. To prepare for the exam, students should go beyond memorizing PPE types and focus on scenarios to apply critical thinking skills – determining the most effective protection method according to different situations.

Practical Tips for Exam Preparation

• Understand disease transmission modes and corresponding PPE uses.
• Engage with practice questions that simulate real-world scenarios, similar to the textbook example provided.
• Review the guidelines and rationale behind the use of masks, gowns, gloves, and shoe covers in infection control.
• Stay updated with current best practices for PPE in healthcare settings, as these can evolve over time.

By doing so, students can be better prepared to tackle the NCLEX-PN exam with confidence, ensuring they have mastered the knowledge on how to protect themselves and their patients against infections, which is a vital component of nursing practice.