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: A. Remove the contaminated dressing and clean the surface of the bedside table with a hypochlorite solution.

Step-by-step solution

Analyze each option

To find the most appropriate action, let's analyze each option and see how they contribute to the overall objective of preventing infection and maintaining a clean environment. A. Removing the contaminated dressing and cleaning the surface of the bedside table with a hypochlorite solution ensures that any potential bacteria or pathogens left by the contaminated dressing are eliminated. It also guarantees that the area where the patient might grab or touch is disinfected. B. Waiting until the co-worker finishes and then asking housekeeping to clean the room doesn't address the immediate risk of spreading infection. This option doesn't consider the well-being of the patient/client by allowing the contaminated dressing to remain there. C. Removing the contaminated dressing and placing it in the client's waste can seems like an acceptable solution, but it does not include cleaning the surface where the contamination took place. This leaves the potential for lingering pathogens on the bedside table, which could still infect the client or others. D. Asking the co-worker why they placed the contaminated dressing on the client's bedside table may seem like a good way to confront them, but it does not address the immediate issue of potential pathogens on the table and does not clean or remove the contamination.

Identify the most appropriate option

Based on the analysis in step 1, Option A (remove the contaminated dressing and clean the surface of the bedside table with a hypochlorite solution) is the most appropriate option as it addresses the immediate problem, ensures hygiene and cleanliness, and directly works toward minimizing the spread of infection.