Apply hand hygiene, contact precautions, catheter care and pressure-injury prevention. Recognize when a change in condition requires urgent assessment.
Practice this collectionHands are visibly soiled. Which cleaning method?
Dirt is visible after a care task.
Wash with soap and water.
Visible soil requires washing.
Choose the method for the situation.
CDC · Clinical hand hygiene · Source accessed 2026-10-17 · Concept version 2
Save and practice this conceptDo gloves replace hand hygiene?
Consider both putting on and removing gloves.
No. Perform hand hygiene when indicated, including after glove removal.
Gloves are a barrier, not a cleaning method.
Clean hands before donning gloves for patient care.
CDC · Clinical hand hygiene · Source accessed 2026-10-17 · Concept version 2
Save and practice this conceptWhich method is usually preferred when hands are not visibly soiled?
Routine patient care; no special outbreak indication for washing.
Alcohol-based hand rub.
It is preferred in most routine clinical situations.
Special indications can require soap and water.
CDC · Clinical hand hygiene · Source accessed 2026-10-17 · Concept version 1
Save and practice this conceptWhen is hand hygiene needed around a clean or aseptic procedure?
You are preparing to handle an invasive device.
Before the procedure, even if you recently cleaned your hands.
A new indication requires a new hand-hygiene action.
Protect the clean site from contamination.
WHO · Five moments for hand hygiene · Source accessed 2026-10-17 · Concept version 1
Save and practice this conceptDoes touching a bedrail create a hand-hygiene indication?
You touched the patient surroundings and are leaving the patient zone.
Yes. Clean your hands after contact with the surroundings.
Surfaces near the patient can carry organisms.
Direct patient contact is not required for every indication.
WHO · Five moments for hand hygiene · Source accessed 2026-10-17 · Concept version 1
Save and practice this conceptWhat should happen before moving from a soiled site to a clean site?
Both tasks involve the same patient.
Remove gloves, perform hand hygiene, and use new gloves if indicated.
The same patient can have clean and contaminated sites.
Changing tasks can require changing barriers.
CDC · Clinical hand hygiene · Source accessed 2026-10-17 · Concept version 1
Save and practice this conceptWhen can you put gloves on after using alcohol hand rub?
You have applied the recommended amount.
After rubbing all hand surfaces until dry.
Complete the hand-rub process before putting on gloves.
Do not wipe away wet hand rub to rush the next task.
CDC · Clinical hand hygiene · Source accessed 2026-10-17 · Concept version 1
Save and practice this conceptWhat follows glove removal after a body-fluid exposure risk?
The gloves appear intact.
Perform hand hygiene immediately.
Intact-looking gloves do not remove the indication.
Use soap and water if the hands are visibly soiled.
WHO · Five moments for hand hygiene · Source accessed 2026-10-17 · Concept version 1
Save and practice this conceptWhy is infection with new confusion and poor perfusion urgent?
NCLEX-RN clinical recall · connect this concept to the patient’s assessment and care plan.
Sepsis can cause organ injury; initiate urgent assessment and the local escalation pathway.
Mental-status change and hypotension can signal serious sepsis-related deterioration.
Use the clinical context and the prescribed care plan when applying this principle.
CDC · About sepsis · Source accessed 2026-10-17 · Concept version 1
Save and practice this conceptWhere should an indwelling catheter collection bag be kept?
NCLEX-RN clinical recall · connect this concept to the patient’s assessment and care plan.
Below bladder level, off the floor, with unobstructed tubing.
Dependent unobstructed drainage limits backflow and stasis.
Use the clinical context and the prescribed care plan when applying this principle.
CDC · CAUTI prevention recommendations · Source accessed 2026-10-17 · Concept version 1
Save and practice this conceptWhat should happen immediately after using a needle?
NCLEX-RN clinical recall · connect this concept to the patient’s assessment and care plan.
Place it directly in an appropriate sharps container without hand recapping.
Immediate safe containment reduces needlestick risk.
Use the clinical context and the prescribed care plan when applying this principle.
CDC/NIOSH · Sharps disposal in clinical vaccination settings · Source accessed 2026-10-17 · Concept version 1
Save and practice this conceptWhat precautions are needed for suspected infectious C. diff diarrhea?
NCLEX-RN clinical recall · connect this concept to the patient’s assessment and care plan.
Promptly isolate using contact precautions and dedicated equipment per facility policy.
Precautions should begin for suspected infection, not wait for confirmation.
Use the clinical context and the prescribed care plan when applying this principle.
CDC · C. diff infection prevention · Source accessed 2026-10-17 · Concept version 1
Save and practice this conceptDoes convenience justify leaving an indwelling catheter in place?
NCLEX-RN clinical recall · connect this concept to the patient’s assessment and care plan.
Review the indication daily and remove promptly under the authorized plan when no longer needed.
Reducing unnecessary catheter duration reduces CAUTI risk.
Use the clinical context and the prescribed care plan when applying this principle.
CDC · CAUTI prevention recommendations · Source accessed 2026-10-17 · Concept version 1
Save and practice this conceptWhat prevents pressure injury when mobility is limited?
NCLEX-RN clinical recall · connect this concept to the patient’s assessment and care plan.
Use individualized repositioning, pressure relief and regular skin assessment.
Pressure relief addresses the ongoing mechanical stress.
Use the clinical context and the prescribed care plan when applying this principle.
MedlinePlus · Preventing pressure ulcers · Source accessed 2026-10-17 · Concept version 1
Save and practice this conceptUse these notes to study clinical concepts. In patient care, follow the setting's emergency response and treatment protocols.