Which infection control measure, by the nurse, reduces the potential spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?
Wearing an N95 mask while in the room of a patient with airborne precautions.
Wearing a facemask while in the room of a patient with droplet precautions.
Use of a separate disposable blood pressure cuff for any patient with a draining wound.
Use of strict hand washing measures once in every 8-hour work shift.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Wearing an N95 mask is appropriate for airborne precautions, such as tuberculosis, but not specifically for MRSA, which requires contact precautions.
Choice B rationale
Wearing a facemask is suitable for droplet precautions, such as influenza, but MRSA is primarily spread through direct contact, not droplets.
Choice C rationale
Using a separate disposable blood pressure cuff for patients with draining wounds helps prevent the spread of MRSA. MRSA can be transmitted via contaminated medical equipment.
Choice D rationale
Strict hand washing measures are essential but should be performed more frequently than once every 8-hour shift. Hand hygiene should be practiced before and after patient contact.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Elevated blood ammonia levels are a common consequence of liver dysfunction, particularly in conditions like cirrhosis and alcoholic liver disease. The liver is responsible for converting ammonia, a byproduct of protein metabolism, into urea, which is then excreted by the kidneys. When the liver is damaged, it cannot effectively perform this function, leading to elevated blood ammonia levels. High ammonia levels can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause hepatic encephalopathy, which manifests as confusion, memory loss, and asterixis (a flapping tremor of the hands). These neurological symptoms are consistent with the patient’s presentation.
Choice B rationale
An increased white blood cell count typically indicates an infection or inflammation. While infections can occur in patients with liver disease due to a compromised immune system, the symptoms described (increased blood glucose, blurred vision, memory loss, and asterixis) are more indicative of hepatic encephalopathy rather than an infection.
Choice C rationale
Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels can occur in liver disease, but they are more commonly associated with kidney dysfunction. BUN is a measure of the amount of nitrogen in the blood that comes from the waste product urea. While liver dysfunction can affect BUN levels, the symptoms described are more specifically related to elevated ammonia levels and hepatic encephalopathy.
Choice D rationale
A decreased platelet count, or thrombocytopenia, is a common finding in liver disease due to splenic sequestration and decreased production of thrombopoietin. However, thrombocytopenia does not directly cause the neurological symptoms described in the patient. The symptoms of increased blood glucose, blurred vision, memory loss, and asterixis are more specifically related to elevated ammonia levels and hepatic encephalopathy.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
It takes about 14 days to develop antibodies and immunity to the disease after vaccine administration. This is why the patient is asked to return in 2 to 3 weeks for an antibody titer. The immune system needs time to respond to the vaccine and produce detectable levels of antibodies.
Choice B rationale
The laboratory running out of blood specimen tubes is not a valid reason for delaying the antibody titer. This choice does not provide an accurate explanation for the patient.
Choice C rationale
It takes about 14 days to develop antibodies, not antigens, and immunity to the disease after vaccine administration. This choice contains incorrect information about the immune response.
Choice D rationale
After receiving the vaccine, the patient is not likely to transmit the communicable disease to the laboratory. This choice does not provide a valid reason for delaying the antibody titer.