What should a nurse do to prevent the spread of infection?

Following standard precautions, including proper hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment, is essential for preventing the spread of infection. Standard precautions are a set of guidelines designed to reduce the risk of transmission of bloodborne and other pathogens, regardless of the patient's diagnosis or presumed infection status. This includes practices such as thorough handwashing, using gloves when necessary, wearing masks and eye protection to shield against splashes, and safely handling and disposing of needles and other sharp objects.

Hand hygiene is particularly critical because it significantly reduces the microbial load that can lead to infection transmission. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) acts as a barrier to prevent the nurse from coming into direct contact with potentially infectious materials. These fundamental practices create a safer healthcare environment for both patients and healthcare workers.

Other approaches, such as administering antibiotics to all patients, may not be appropriate or effective in preventing infections and could contribute to antibiotic resistance. Limiting patient contact to only essential staff is not a practical infection control strategy, as it may hinder overall patient care. Relying solely on disinfecting surfaces overlooks the importance of direct patient care practices and hand hygiene, which are crucial in preventing infection spread.