Question

post-operative infection prevention includes except:

bed linen and gowns should only be changed when visibly soiled

when bathing, chlorohexidine gluconate (chg) wipe use is preferred because research shows it kills bacteria on the skin for up to 24 hours after applied.

all post-operative elective spine surgical patients should be bathed daily

oral care reduces the number of bacteria in the mouth and should be performed after meals and at bedtime

Explanation:

Analyze the question prompt

The question asks to identify which option is not included in standard post-operative infection prevention protocols (indicated by the word "except").

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: "Bed linen and gowns should only be changed when visibly soiled." In postoperative care, maintaining clean linens and gowns is vital to reduce environmental pathogens. Changing them only when visibly soiled is an inadequate practice for high-risk surgical patients (such as spine surgery patients), as microscopic pathogens can still contaminate the environment.
• Option 2: "When bathing, Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) wipe use is preferred because research shows it kills bacteria on the skin for up to 24 hours after applied." This is a true statement and a standard evidence-based practice in Patient Care to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs).
• Option 3: "All post-operative elective spine surgical patients should be bathed daily." Daily bathing is a standard hygiene protocol to reduce skin colonization of bacteria.
• Option 4: "Oral care reduces the number of bacteria in the mouth and should be performed after meals and at bedtime." Regular oral care is a standard practice to prevent hospital-acquired infections like non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP).

Identify the exception

Since Option 1 describes an incorrect or suboptimal practice (linens should be changed regularly, not just when visibly soiled, to maintain a clean environment), it is the correct answer to this "except" question.

Answer:

• (A) Bed linen and gowns should only be changed when visibly soiled (Correct answer)
• (B) When bathing, Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) wipe use is preferred because research shows it kills bacteria on the skin for up to 24 hours after applied.
• (C) All post-operative elective spine surgical patients should be bathed daily
• (D) Oral care reduces the number of bacteria in the mouth and should be performed after meals and at bedtime