Chapter 96: Antiseptics and Disinfectants

Chapter 96: Antiseptics and Disinfectants

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. A nursing student asks a nurse why systemic antibiotics and not topical antiseptic agents are used to treat localized skin infections. Which statement by the student indicates a need for further teaching?

a.	“Systemic agents are not affected by wound exudates.”
b.	“Systemic agents penetrate to the site of infection.”
c.	“Topical agents can damage inflamed or abraded tissues.”
d.	“Topical agents work only against established local infections.”

 

 

ANS:  D

Topical antiseptics are not used to treat established local infections. Systemic agents are more effective, because they are not affected by wound exudates. They penetrate to the site of infection, and they do not damage inflamed or abraded tissues.

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   p. 1175

TOP:   Nursing Process: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies

 

2. For which patient would a topical antiseptic be most appropriate?

a.	A patient with a systemic infection
b.	A patient with a medium-sized abscess
c.	A patient who has a wound with moderate exudate
d.	A patient who needs to have wounds cleansed for prophylaxis

 

 

ANS:  D

Antiseptics are useful as prophylaxis; when applied properly, they can help cleanse wounds and reduce microbial contamination. A patient with a systemic infection is treated with a systemic anti-infective drug. An abscess must be incised and drained, and a topical agent cannot significantly penetrate the skin to be effective. A wound with moderate exudates requires antibiotic therapy.

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                REF:   p. 1175

TOP:   Nursing Process: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies

 

3. A nurse is teaching a nursing student how to care for patients in the perioperative period. Which statement by the student about preventing postoperative infections indicates a need for further teaching?

a.	“Applying hexachlorophene to the operative site preoperatively will help prevent infection.”
b.	“It is important to ensure that all surgical instruments have been sterilized appropriately.”
c.	“Operating room personnel should all perform a presurgical scrub with antimicrobial soap.”
d.	“Preventing contamination by microorganisms in the environment is the most important perioperative measure.”

 

 

ANS:  A

Although bathing a patient’s skin area with antiseptic agents reduces the number of surface bacteria, this measure has not been shown to reduce the incidence of postoperative infection. Disinfecting surgical instruments, antimicrobial surgical scrubbing for operating room personnel, and disinfection of other surfaces in the environment have been shown to be effective measures for preventing postoperative infection.

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   pp. 1175-1176

TOP:   Nursing Process: Planning

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies

 

4. A nurse is caring for a patient with an infection caused by Bacillus anthracis. What action is most important for reducing the transmission of this disease?

a.	Disinfecting the bedpan with an antiseptic solution
b.	Using antibacterial hand soap when washing the hands
c.	Using an alcohol-based hand rub after each patient contact
d.	Wearing gloves while caring for the patient

 

 

ANS:  B

All of these measures are appropriate for this patient; however, using an antibacterial hand soap is the most important, because only an antimicrobial soap is effective against a spore-forming bacterium, such as B. anthracis.

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analysis                REF:   pp. 1179-1180

TOP:   Nursing Process: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential