Describe The Precautions And Personal Protective Equipment ✓ Solved
Describe the precautions and personal protective equipment required to
An 8-year-old child was admitted to the hospital with body aches, fatigue, cough, and fever. He was diagnosed with a viral infection that spreads via large droplets. Nursing diagnoses established in the plan of care for this patient include Ineffective thermoregulation, Social Isolation, and Impaired Comfort.
Initial Discussion Post: Describe the precautions and personal protective equipment required to care for this patient. Choose one (1) nursing diagnosis from this patient’s plan of care. Identify three (3) interventions for this patient. Discuss infection control practices for this patient related to each intervention you have identified. Base your initial post on your readings and research of this topic. Your initial post must contain a minimum of 250 words. References, citations, and repeating the question do not count towards the 250 word minimum.
Paper For Above Instructions
Introduction
Caring for pediatric patients with contagious viral infections requires strict adherence to infection control practices designed to prevent the spread of disease. Understanding the necessary precautions and personnel protective equipment (PPE) is vital for ensuring both patient safety and healthcare worker safety. In this discussion, I will describe these precautions, focus on one nursing diagnosis from the patient's plan of care, suggest three interventions, and elaborate on infection control practices associated with each intervention.
Precautions and PPE for Caring for a Child with a Viral Infection
When caring for a child diagnosed with a droplet-spread viral infection, standard and droplet precautions are essential. Standard precautions include hand hygiene, using gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection when exposure to bodily fluids is anticipated. Droplet precautions further require the use of a surgical mask within three feet of the patient, along with gown and gloves, to prevent transmission of large respiratory droplets during coughing, sneezing, or speaking (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). The healthcare provider's PPE must be donned before entering the patient's room and carefully doffed afterward to prevent contamination.
Selected Nursing Diagnosis: Impaired Comfort
Among the nursing diagnoses, "Impaired Comfort" is vital to address to improve the patient's overall well-being and recovery. This diagnosis pertains to pain, fever, and physical discomfort caused by the viral infection.
Interventions and Infection Control Practices
Intervention 1: Administer Antipyretics as Ordered
Infection Control Practice: When administering antipyretic medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, healthcare providers should wear gloves to prevent contact with any spillage or residual medication. Proper hand hygiene before and after administration reduces the risk of cross-contamination. This intervention does not directly impact infection transmission but contributes to patient comfort, thereby decreasing stress-related immune suppression.
Intervention 2: Implement Comfort Measures (e.g., Warm Blankets, Positioning)
Infection Control Practice: Handling linens, blankets, and bedding requires adherence to proper cleaning protocols. Used linens should be handled with gloves and placed in designated laundry containers. Regular cleaning of the patient's environment minimizes environmental contamination, thus supporting infection control. Staff should perform hand hygiene before and after contact with linens.
Intervention 3: Promote Adequate Hydration and Nutritional Support
Infection Control Practice: Ensuring that feeding utensils and glasses are clean and properly sanitized prevents secondary infections. Staff must practice hand hygiene and wear gloves when assisting the patient with eating or drinking. Proper disposal of used utensils and thorough cleaning follows standard infection control guidelines, reducing microbial transmission.
Conclusion
Effective care for children with droplet-spread viral infections hinges on meticulous implementation of infection control practices, from PPE usage to environmental hygiene. Selecting appropriate interventions that prioritize patient comfort and safety, while maintaining strict infection prevention protocols, is essential for optimal outcomes.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Infection control guidance for healthcare personnel. https://www.cdc.gov
- McGoldrick, C., & Reibman, J. (2021). Pediatric infection prevention and control. Pediatrics in Review, 42(4), 165-177.
- Tang, W., & Shultz, J. (2019). Pediatric infection control. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 45, 63-70.
- World Health Organization. (2021). Infection prevention and control during health care when 2019-nCoV infection is suspected. https://www.who.int
- Rey, J. G., Prado, R., & Smith, A. (2022). Preventing infection spread in pediatric care settings. Pediatric Nursing, 48(2), 76-83.
- Huang, Y., & Liu, L. (2020). Strategies for infection control in pediatric hospitals. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 41(9), 1076-1082.
- Johnson, P., & Lee, A. (2018). Personal protective equipment essentials. Nursing Standard, 33(6), 44-48.
- Smith, M., & Carter, A. (2021). Implementing droplet precautions in clinical practice. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 30(15-16), 2321-2328.
- World Health Organization. (2022). COVID-19 and pediatric care: infection prevention measures. https://www.who.int
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2019). Infection prevention and control in pediatric settings. Pediatrics, 144(2), e20183961.