Reference no: EM133561882

Case Study: Jane Martin, a 75-year-old widow, is admitted to the hospital for treatment of a postoperative infection of her left knee. She had total knee replacement surgery 3 weeks ago and went to her orthopedic surgeon with a complaint of pain, redness, and swelling in the operative joint. The incision is draining purulent drainage. Her vital signs are blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg, temperature 101° F orally, pulse 108 beats/min, and respirations 18 breaths/min. She rates the pain in her left knee as a 6 on a scale from 1 to 10. Mrs. Martin has type 2 diabetes and has controlled her disease with oral antihyperglycemic agents. She has not had much of an appetite since her surgery and has lost 4 pounds. Mary, a senior student nurse, is assigned to begin admitting Mrs. Martin.

Questions:

1. What does Mary know is the most important strategy for preventing the spread of infection?
2. The surgeon has ordered that Mrs. Martin be placed in isolation. Which type of isolation is most appropriate, and what precautions are included in this type of isolation?
3. Mrs. Martin asks Mary why some of the staff members wash their hands at the sink and others just wipe their hands with the stuff in the container. How should Mary respond so that Mrs. Martin knows when it is appropriate to not wash her hands with soap and water?
4. Mrs. Martin's physician has decided to put in a PICC line so she can receive IV antibiotics for 3 weeks. What type of preparation should Mary anticipate for this invasive procedure?