I’m working on a health & medical writing question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn.
The nurse is preparing to change the bed linen for a patient who has an ulcer near the coccyx. After gathering needed supplies, the nurse washes her hands and dons clean gloves. The patient asks why she didn’t put on sterile gloves. How should the nurse respond?
How to solve
Foundation and adult health nursing
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Introduction:
As a medical professor responsible for designing assignments and evaluating student performance, I understand the importance of proper infection control practices in healthcare settings. In response to the patient’s question about why the nurse didn’t wear sterile gloves when changing the bed linen, the following answer will explain the rationale behind the nurse’s decision.
Answer:
The use of sterile gloves versus clean gloves depends on the procedure being performed and the level of contamination or risk of infection. In the case of changing bed linen for a patient with an ulcer near the coccyx, clean gloves are considered appropriate for this task.
Clean gloves are designed to protect both the patient and the healthcare professional from direct contact with any bodily fluids, such as urine, feces, or wound exudate, that may be present on the bed linen. These gloves act as a barrier and help prevent the spread of harmful microorganisms.
Sterile gloves, on the other hand, are used for sterile procedures where there is a need to maintain an aseptic environment and prevent the introduction of microorganisms. For example, during surgical procedures or when handling an open wound, sterile gloves are essential to reduce the risk of infection.
In the case of changing bed linen, the primary focus is on maintaining cleanliness and preventing cross-contamination. The nurse has already performed hand hygiene and is using clean gloves, which are considered appropriate for this non-sterile task. Using sterile gloves in this situation would be unnecessary and potentially wasteful.
It is important to note that while the nurse is using clean gloves, she should still adhere to proper infection control practices, such as ensuring the bed linen is handled carefully, disposing of used gloves properly, and performing hand hygiene after completing the task.
By using clean gloves, the nurse is following standard infection control protocols and prioritizing the patient’s safety by minimizing the risk of contamination.
