HESI Registered Nurse EXIT Practice Exam

What should be the primary nursing intervention for a client with a salmonella infection?

1. Wash hands thoroughly before and after client contact

2. Wear gloves when in contact with body secretions

3. Double glove when in contact with feces or vomitus

4. Wear gloves when disposing of contaminated linens

The correct answer is: Wash hands thoroughly before and after client contact

The primary nursing intervention for a client with a Salmonella infection revolves around hand hygiene, which is essential in preventing the spread of infectious agents. Thorough hand washing before and after client contact serves to eliminate any pathogens that the nurse may carry from one patient to another and protects both the healthcare provider and others from potential exposure. Salmonella is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, which means that improper hand hygiene can lead to the transmission of the bacteria from contaminated surfaces or food to individuals. Therefore, prioritizing thorough hand washing is crucial in controlling the infection and ensuring safety in the healthcare environment. While wearing gloves and practicing additional precautions are important in specific situations, they are secondary to the fundamental practice of hand hygiene. Hand washing should always be the foundation of infection control practices to mitigate the risk of transmission effectively.