HESI Registered Nurse EXIT Practice Exam

What is the most important infection control strategy to reinforce for a client with hepatitis A?

1. Apply appropriate signs outside and inside the room

2. Apply a mask with a shield if there is a risk of fluid splash

3. Wear a gown to change soiled linens from incontinence

4. Have gloves on while handling bedpans with feces

The correct answer is: Have gloves on while handling bedpans with feces

The most important infection control strategy for a client with hepatitis A is to have gloves on while handling bedpans with feces. Hepatitis A is primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route, which means that the virus is often spread when an infected person does not properly wash their hands after using the bathroom and then touches food, surfaces, or objects that others come into contact with. By wearing gloves while handling bedpans and feces, the healthcare provider significantly reduces the risk of contaminating their hands with the virus. This protective measure not only safeguards the health of the provider but also helps prevent the potential spread of hepatitis A to others, particularly in a healthcare setting where contact with multiple patients occurs. Other strategies, such as applying appropriate signs or using personal protective equipment like masks and gowns, play a role in infection control; however, they do not address the primary route of hepatitis A transmission as directly as proper hand hygiene and the use of gloves during procedures that involve potential contact with fecal matter. Thus, wearing gloves during such tasks is paramount in effectively controlling the spread of this infection.