Which infection prevention measures apply to MRSA in a facility?

Prepare for the Nurse Aide I Module B – Infection Prevention Test. Leverage multiple choice questions, detailed flashcards, and comprehensive explanations. Ensure your readiness for the exam!

MRSA is transmitted primarily by direct contact with an infected wound, colonized sites, or contaminated surfaces, so stopping contact transmission is the key. The best approach combines contact precautions with standard precautions: wear gloves and a gown before entering the patient’s room or touching the patient or their surroundings to create a barrier against skin and clothing contamination; use dedicated equipment for the patient when possible, or disinfect equipment thoroughly between uses to prevent transferring MRSA to other patients. Strict hand hygiene before and after patient contact, after removing gloves, and after touching potentially contaminated items is essential, with soap and water if hands are visibly soiled (otherwise an alcohol-based rub is appropriate). If a private room isn’t available, cohorting the patient with others who have MRSA helps reduce spread by separating them from non-colonized patients.

Standard precautions lay the foundation, but for MRSA the added contact precautions are necessary to prevent spread via contact. Airborne and droplet precautions are not routinely required for MRSA, since it is not primarily spread through the air or via droplets.