Question

Take some time to research the many hazards that you will face as you take care of your patient. Describe one hazard that could harm you and/or you patient in the healthcare setting. What actions can nurses take to prevent harm to your patient or self?

Answer 1

Hazards faced by nurses during patient care are as follows:-

1) infectious diseases exposure:- During patient care, Nurses get exposed to variety of infectious diseases which can range from HIV, Hep B, C to the COVID-19 infection. Hence, they have increased risk of contacting the infection.

2) Heavy lifting :- Nurses have to do heavy lifting while changing the position of the patients especially the obese patients. This can lead to physical injuries.

3 ) long Duration of standing and walking:- Nurses have to stand and walk for long durations.

4) workplace violence:- While dealing with critically ill pateints, if the patient dies, nurses can face violence at workplace from the relatives of the patients.

5) Mental trauma:- Seeng the patients suffering with morbidities and deaths can lead to mental trauma and stress. Also, Alongwith this, long working hours and fast paced situtacan also contribute to the same.

6) Other hazards faces while taking patient care include chemical exposure, radiation exposure, etc.

infectious diseases exposure is common at workplace for nurses and other health care workers. A person gets exposed to variety of infections which include HIV, Hep B,C, Tuberculosis, COVID -19, etc. Nurses can also act as carrier of infection from one patient to other in the ward. These infections can be life threatening also. Precautions at workplace is must for nurses and other healthcare workers.
Methods to prevent transmission of infection are:-

1) Regular hand hygeine:- Washing hands after attending a patient is one of the most important step to prevent transmission of infections.

2)Wearing gloves:- All the patients regardless of the diseases he/she is suffering from must be attended while wearing gloves.

3)Wearing masks:- Surgical masks must be worn to prevent infections transmitted via aerosols.

4) Sharps and needles must be handles with utmost care to prevent needle injury which can transmit infections like HIV, HepB,C, etc.

These are the basic ways in which transmission of infections can be prevented in day to day nursing care.