Question

a nurse is caring for a 55 - year - old postoperative client. the client returns to the icu after surgery intubated and mechanically ventilated with a salem sump nasogastric tube, a foley catheter, and a picc line in place. based on the nurse’s knowledge of the most common hospital - acquired infections, which apparatus is most important to remove first?
urinary catheter
endotracheal tube
salem sump nasogastric tube
picc line

Explanation:

Hospital - acquired infections are a significant concern. Urinary catheter - related urinary tract infections are one of the most common hospital - acquired infections. Removing the urinary catheter as soon as possible reduces the risk of such infections. While other apparatuses (endotracheal tube, Salem sump nasogastric tube, PICC line) can also be associated with infections (ventilator - associated pneumonia, catheter - related bloodstream infections etc.), urinary catheter - related infections are very prevalent.

Answer:

urinary catheter