CNA Certification (Written Exam)Infection Control and SafetyMedium
A nurse aide is assisting a resident with a severe nosebleed. After applying pressure, what is the most important infection control measure for the nurse aide to take immediately after the bleeding is controlled?
- ADocument the incident in the resident's chart.
- BChange the resident's bed linens.
- CRemove gloves and perform hand hygiene.
- DOffer the resident a glass of water.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene.
After direct contact with blood (from the nosebleed), the nurse aide's hands, though gloved, are considered contaminated. Removing gloves properly and immediately performing hand hygiene is critical to prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens and maintain infection control.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Documentation is important but not the immediate infection control priority.
- B. Changing linens is important for comfort and cleanliness, but not the immediate infection control priority for the aide.
- D. Offering water is for comfort, not an infection control measure.
Post-Blood Exposure Hand Hygiene
Immediately after contact with blood or body fluids, gloves must be removed and thorough hand hygiene performed to prevent infection transmission.
- Gloves are a barrier, but not infallible.
- Hand hygiene removes transient microorganisms.
- Prevents self-contamination and spread to other surfaces/residents.
Memory trick: Gloves Gone, Hands Clean, Hazard Clear.