Safety and Infection Control Flashcards

During a PACU admission, a nurse identifies that antibiotic prophylaxis was NOT administered preoperatively per protocol. What is the MOST appropriate action?

Answer: Notify the surgeon and document the omission per facility policy

The omission of prophylactic antibiotics is a reportable event; the surgeon must be notified to determine if post-incision administration is appropriate and the event documented per policy.

A patient in the PACU suddenly pulls out their endotracheal tube. The IMMEDIATE nursing priority is:

Answer: Assess airway patency and oxygenation status

Assessing airway patency and oxygenation is the first priority following unplanned extubation to determine whether the patient can maintain their own airway.

Which of the following BEST describes the correct sequence for donning personal protective equipment (PPE) before entering a contact isolation room?

Answer: Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves

The CDC-recommended donning sequence is gown first, then mask/respirator, then eye protection, then gloves, ensuring the most contaminated items are donned last.

A nurse notices a colleague recapping a used needle with two hands. What is the BEST immediate response?

Answer: Intervene immediately and educate the colleague on safe needle handling

Two-handed needle recapping is a leading cause of needlestick injuries; immediate intervention and education are required to prevent harm.

A post-anesthesia patient's wound dressing is saturated with serous drainage. The nurse should:

Answer: Reinforce the dressing and notify the surgeon

A saturated dressing should be reinforced and the surgeon notified rather than removed, as the surgeon may want to assess the wound for bleeding or infection.

Which intraoperative factor places a PACU patient at GREATEST risk for hypothermia-related complications including increased infection risk?

Answer: Prolonged surgery exceeding three hours with large body cavity exposure

Prolonged surgery with exposure of large body cavities causes significant heat loss, and hypothermia impairs neutrophil function and increases surgical site infection risk.

Which action by a PACU nurse during a needlestick injury requires IMMEDIATE follow-up per occupational safety guidelines?

Answer: All of the above

OSHA and CDC guidelines require all three actions — wound washing, incident reporting, and baseline testing/PEP counseling — immediately following a needlestick injury.