Which preparatory step should be performed before nasal spray administration?

Which preparatory step should be performed before nasal spray administration?

• A. Use alcohol-based sanitizer to clean the tip
• B. Discard the applicator after one use
• C. Share the applicator with others
• D. Wear gloves

Answer: (D)

In nasal spray administration, following infection-control practices is essential to protect both you and the patient. Wearing gloves is the preparatory step because it provides a barrier against potential contamination and bodily secretions during handling and administration. This PPE use is part of standard precautions and should align with your facility’s policy, with hand hygiene performed before donning gloves and after removing them. Cleaning the tip with alcohol-based sanitizer isn’t appropriate because it can leave residue or introduce contaminants into the medication delivery path; the nozzle should be handled with clean technique—avoid touching the spray tip and rely on proper hand hygiene and clean handling instead. Sharing an applicator poses a cross-contamination risk, so it’s not acceptable. And discarding the applicator after one use isn’t typically required unless the device is designed for single-use or the medication has been finished.

In nasal spray administration, following infection-control practices is essential to protect both you and the patient. Wearing gloves is the preparatory step because it provides a barrier against potential contamination and bodily secretions during handling and administration. This PPE use is part of standard precautions and should align with your facility’s policy, with hand hygiene performed before donning gloves and after removing them.

Cleaning the tip with alcohol-based sanitizer isn’t appropriate because it can leave residue or introduce contaminants into the medication delivery path; the nozzle should be handled with clean technique—avoid touching the spray tip and rely on proper hand hygiene and clean handling instead. Sharing an applicator poses a cross-contamination risk, so it’s not acceptable. And discarding the applicator after one use isn’t typically required unless the device is designed for single-use or the medication has been finished.