Question

A newly admitted nursing home patient is arriving with several deep (3rd degree) decubiti on the back and buttocks. There is a foul-smelling drainage coming from the wounds. The health care provider suspects MRSA.

a) What type of precautions should the nurse implement for everyone entering this patient’s room?

b) How will the nurse proceed with the physical assessment while maintaining a safe environment for herself and the patient?

Answer 1

MRSA is a contact infection and the healthcare p[rofessional working in order to provide care to the patient with MRSA are at risk of getting infected-

1. The nurse should make sure that every person entering this patient's room should follow these guidelines-

Every personnel entering the room has to wash their hands with soap or alcohol rub before and after entering the room

Cover the wounds of the patient with temporary dressings

Wear gloves and personal protection equipment while treating this patient

Handle patient laundry safely and separately

Do not share personal items with this patient

Instruct family members

2. While physically assessing this patient the nurse has to maintain the safe and protected environment for the patient and herself and in order to do so following steps will be followed-

Nurses should wash her hands thoroughly with hand sanitizer or alcohol rub

She should not touch any other thing after hand wash

She should use hand gloves and mask while examining this patient

the swabs and dressings that the patient is treated with should be disposed effectively

The area of examination should be cleaned before and after inspection

The nurse should clean her hands thoroughly even after leaving patient's room