TEST BANK LEHNE’S PHARMACOLOGY
CHAPTERS 96-100
Chapter 96: Antiseptics and Disinfectants
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.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: Using Antiseptics to Treat
Established Local Infection 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.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: Using Antiseptics to Treat
Established Local Infection 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 all been shown to be effective measures for preventing
postoperative infection.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: Using Antiseptics and
Disinfectants Most Effectively TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity:
Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
4. A nurse is caring for a patient with gastroenteritis caused by Clostridium difficile. 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 C. difficile.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: Indications for Hand Washing and
Hand Antisepsis TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC:
NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk
Potential
5. A patient has developed a local infection at an IV insertion site. Before the IV was
inserted, the site was cleansed with a product with an ethanol concentration of 70%. The
nurse will report the local infection to the provider and expect to receive an order to:
, a. administer a systemic antimicrobial agent.
b. apply a topical antiseptic agent to the infected area.
c. culture the site to assess for C. difficile.
d. use a topical agent containing 95% ethanol.
ANS: A
Once an infection has occurred, systemic antimicrobials are recommended as
treatment. Topical antiseptics will not be as effective. C. difficile occurs in the
intestines. Concentrations of ethanol greater than 70% are less effective, and ethanol
should not be applied to open wounds because of the risk of tissue damage and
coagulation of proteins.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: Using Antiseptics to Treat
Established Local Infection | Alcohols | Ethanol TOP: Nursing Process:
Diagnosis MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity:
Reduction of Risk Potential
6. A patient has an abrasion, and the nurse is preparing to cleanse the area with iodine.
Which preparation will the nurse use?
a. Free elemental iodine
b. Iodine solution
c. Iodine tincture
d. Povidone iodine
ANS: B
Iodine solution should be used for the treatment of wounds and abrasions, because it
does not contain alcohol, which can irritate and damage the tissue. Free elemental
iodine is released from iodine preparations after administration. Iodine tincture
contains alcohol. Povidone iodine is used prophylactically to prevent postoperative
infection.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: Iodine Compounds: Iodine
Solution and Iodine Tincture TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity:
Reduction of Risk Potential
7. A student has just performed a physical assessment on a patient who has an infection with
C. difficile. The student uses an alcohol hand rub while preparing to leave the room.
Which action should the nurse take?
a. Ask the student to wash with soap and water before exiting the room.
b. Discuss the matter with the student later in a quiet area.
c. No action is required.
d. Report the student’s action to the instructor.
ANS: A
The student should be asked to wash with soap and water before leaving the room.
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