The nurse has taken the blood pressure of a client hospitalized with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which action by the nurse indicates an understanding regarding the care of clients with MRSA?
A. The nurse cleans the stethoscope with alcohol and returns it to the exam room.
B. The nurse leaves the stethoscope in the client’s room for future use.
C. The nurse uses the stethoscope to assess the blood pressure of other assigned clients.
D. The nurse cleans the stethoscope with water, dries it, and returns it to the nurse’s station.
Correct Answer: B. The nurse leaves the stethoscope in the client’s room for future use.
Option B: The stethoscope should be left in the client’s room for future use and would not be used by other patients to help prevent the spread of infection.
Options A and D: The stethoscope should not be returned to the exam room or the nurse’s station.
Option C: The stethoscope should not be used to assess other clients.