The nurse is caring for a patient who has acquired a healthcare-associated infection with clostridium difficile. The patient is on contact precautions. Which action is appropriate for the nurse to do when leaving the room?

Explanation

•Clostridium Difficile is a common healthcare-associated infection causing extensive, uncontrollable diarrhea.

•Patients with clostridium difficile require contact precautions to minimize the risk of transmission.

•Nurses should wear a gown, gloves, and shoe covers to protect from any possible splatter of infected bodily fluids.

•There should be a biohazard trash container at the door inside the room. Gown, gloves, and shoe covers should be removed at the door and discarded inside the room before exiting.

•The nurse should then thoroughly wash their hands with very warm water and antibacterial soap before any other task or patient contact in order to prevent further transmission of this organism.

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