Contamination

Domain 11. Safety-protection
Class 4. Environmental hazards
Diagnostic Code: 00181
Nanda label: Contamination
Diagnostic focus: Contamination

Nursing Diagnosis: Contamination

Introduction

Nursing diagnosis is a vital element of nursing practice and is the basis for developing individual plans of care for patients. A nursing diagnosis is defined as “a clinical judgment about individual, family, or community responses to actual or potential health problems/life processes”. It provides the nurse with a framework to identify health issues and develop a plan to address them. This article will discuss contamination, a notable nursing diagnosis, including its definition, defining characteristics, related factors, at risk populations, associated conditions, suggested uses, alternatives, usage tips, NOC outcomes, evaluation objectives and criteria, NIC interventions, nursing activities, conclusions, and FAQs.

NANDA Nursing Diagnosis Definition

Contamination is defined as exposure to a hazardous substance or microorganism that can cause physical, psychological, or physiological harm. It is a serious nursing diagnosis, as it can potentially lead to illnesses and life-threatening events.

Defining Characteristics

Subjective Data

Individuals with a contamination nursing diagnosis may display any of the following subjective data:

• Express feelings of discomfort or fear
• Verbalizes concerns about safety
• Reports fatigue, abdominal pain, joint pain, nausea, or vomiting
• Reports changes in skin color or texture, such as redness, rash, or itchiness
• Reports difficulty breathing, coughing, a feeling of tightness in the chest, or chest congestion

Objective Data

Individuals with a contamination nursing diagnosis may display any of the following objective data:

• Decrease in tactile stimulation and movement
• Reduced sensation of touch or texture in the affected area
• Lethargy or confusion
• Shortness of breath or wheezing
• Loss of consciousness or seizures
• Rapid pulse, rapid breathing rate, temperature changes, or chills
• Skin discoloration, itching, infection, or open sores

Related Factors

Nurses must identify the cause of contamination and its related factors, which could include:

• Environmental Exposure: Contact with hazardous substances or microorganisms (such as contaminated water or food, environmental pollutants, or biological weapons) or contact with an infected person.
• Physical Impact: Exposure to hazardous conditions (such as low oxygen levels, radiation, or extreme temperatures).
• Behavioral Impact: Poor hygiene practices or treatment of medical devices that can lead to contamination.
• Psychological Impact: Feeling of helplessness or fear when exposed to hazardous substances or microorganisms.

At Risk Population

Certain populations are at a higher risk of becoming contaminated by a hazardous substance or microorganism. These include:

• Elderly: The immune system becomes weakened as people age, making elderly individuals vulnerable to contamination.
• Women: Hormonal fluctuations can make women more susceptible to certain types of contaminants.
• Children: Their smaller body mass and immature immune systems put children at an increased risk of contamination.
• Immunocompromised Individuals: Individuals with weakened immune systems due to cancer, HIV/AIDS, or other medical conditions are more prone to contamination.
• Geographic Locations: Certain geographic locations may be more prone to contaminants in water, air, and soil.

Associated Conditions

The nature of the contaminant and its associated condition largely depend on the type of contamination. Some common associated conditions are:

• Bacteria-Aided Illnesses: Gastroenteritis, salmonellosis, typhoid fever, Legionnaires’ disease, infectious hepatitis, tetanus, and leptospirosis.
• Viral-Aided Illnesses: HIV/AIDS, herpes, chickenpox, SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and rubella.
• Chemical-Based Illnesses: Overexposure to asbestos, lead, benzene, radiation, methylene chloride, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide.

Suggestions of Use

The primary goal in addressing contamination is to reduce, eliminate, or prevent exposure to hazardous substances or microorganisms. Here are some suggestions for how this can be done:

• Improve Sanitation Practices: This includes providing training on proper hygiene techniques, such as handwashing and sanitizing surfaces regularly.
• Maintain Cleanliness: Keep the environment clean and free of contaminated material, such as garbage and sewage.
• Increase Awareness: Implement education and awareness campaigns to educate people about the risks associated with contamination.
• Use Protective Equipment: Wear protective clothing, such as masks and gloves, when in contact with potentially hazardous situations.
• Ensure Adequate Ventilation: Increase ventilation in enclosed spaces, especially those with poor air circulation.

Suggested Alternative NANDA Nursing Diagnoses

Some of the alternative NANDA nursing diagnoses for contamination can include:

• Risk for Deficient Fluid Volume: Due to the body's response to contamination, the individual may experience a deficiency in fluid volume.
• Ineffective Airway Clearance: If contaminated air is inhaled, the individual may have difficulty clearing the airways.
• Risk for Infection: Contaminated items or surfaces can increase the risk of infection.
• Risk for Injury: Prolonged contact with contaminants can cause injury.
• Disturbed Sleep Pattern: Anxiety related to contamination can disturb sleep patterns.

Usage Tips

When dealing with a contamination nursing diagnosis, consider the following tips:

• Know Your Facility: Make sure you are aware of the procedures and protocols in place to prevent and respond to contamination.
• Monitor the Patient’s Condition: Perform frequent assessments to monitor for changes in the patient’s condition.
• Implement Isolation Measures: When possible, try to isolate the patient from the source of contamination and restrict visitors.
• Provide Comfort Measures: Offer supportive measures such as emotional support and comfort to the patient.
• Follow Up With Referrals: Refer the patient to a healthcare professional as needed for further assessment and treatment.

NOC Outcomes

The following NOC outcomes may be targeted when implementing a nursing intervention plan for contamination:

• Infection Control: The patient's risk of acquiring a contagious infection is decreased.
• Airway Clearance: The patient is able to effectively clear their airway.
• Physical Comfort: The patient is able to maintain physical comfort even in hazardous conditions.
• Tissue Integrity: The patient's skin is protected and free from breaks or damage.
• Coping: The patient is able to recognize and effectively cope with stressors related to contamination.

Evaluation Objectives and Criteria

When evaluating the effectiveness of a contamination nursing diagnosis, performance criteria should be established and measured. The following criteria may be considered:

• Decrease in Contaminants: The patient is able to reduce or eliminate contact with contaminants, resulting in decreased symptoms.
• Decrease in Symptoms: The patient displays decreased symptoms and improved comfort.
• Decrease in Risk Factors: The patient demonstrates a decrease in risk factors associated with contamination.
• Decrease in Illnesses: The patient demonstrates a decrease in illnesses related to contamination.

NIC Interventions

The following NIC interventions may be used to plan care for contamination:

• Infection Control: Implement appropriate infection control measures to decrease the risk of infection.
• Education: Provide education on safe sanitation practices, contamination prevention, and proper use of protective equipment.
• Airway Clearance: Administer airway clearance therapies, such as chest physiotherapy or positive expiratory pressure therapy.
• Stress Management: Implement stress management techniques to help the patient cope with associated psychological distress.
• Safety: Establish safety measures to protect the patient from potential hazards.

Nursing Activities

Nursing activities for contamination may include:

• Assessment: Conduct a physical assessment to identify the extent of contamination and assess the patient's condition.
• Monitoring: Monitor the patient's condition, including vital signs, signs of infection, and respiratory status.
• Intervention: Implement interventions to reduce the risk of exposure, such as isolation measures and airway clearance therapies.
• Education: Provide education on safe sanitation practices, contamination prevention, and proper use of protective equipment.
• Support: Provide supportive care to help the patient cope with anxiety and distress related to contamination.

Conclusion

Contamination is a serious nursing diagnosis that can cause physical, psychological, and physiological harm. Identifying at-risk populations, related factors, associated conditions, and implementing an effective plan of care can greatly reduce the risk of contamination. Nurses must be aware of the risk factors and how to respond to contamination in order to provide optimal care to their patients.

5 FAQs

• What is contamination? Contamination is exposure to a hazardous substance or microorganism that can cause physical, psychological, or physiological harm.
• Who is at risk of becoming contaminated? Elderly, women, children, immunocompromised individuals, and those living in certain geographic locations may be more likely to become contaminated.
• What are some associated conditions? Bacteria-aided illnesses, viral-aided illnesses, and chemical-based illnesses can all be associated with contamination.
• How can contamination be reduced or eliminated? Contamination can be reduced or eliminated by improving sanitation practices, maintaining cleanliness, increasing awareness, using protective equipment, and ensuring adequate ventilation.
• What are some suggestions for nursing interventions? Nursing interventions for contamination may include infection control, education, airway clearance, stress management, and safety measures.

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Class 4. Environmental hazardsContaminationDomain 11. Safety-protection