When caring for a patient with multiple vascular access devices in a nursing home setting, what strategy should a nurse prioritize to prevent a central line- associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI)?

Rationale: A. While adequate hydration is important for overall health, it does not directly prevent central line–associated bloodstream infections. CLABSI prevention focuses on infection control practices rather than fluid intake. B. Encouraging the patient to wash their hands is beneficial for general hygiene but is secondary to strict aseptic techniques performed by healthcare providers when handling central lines. The primary responsibility for preventing CLABSI lies with the nurse maintaining proper line care. C. Limiting the patient’s movement is not an evidence-based strategy to prevent CLABSI. In fact, encouraging safe mobility is important for overall health and does not increase infection risk when lines are properly managed. D. Regularly changing and properly maintaining the dressings around a central line is a key infection-control intervention to prevent CLABSI. This includes using sterile technique, monitoring for signs of infection, and following established guidelines for frequency of dressing changes. Maintaining a clean and secure line site reduces microbial colonization and prevents bloodstream infections, which is the highest priority when caring for patients with multiple vascular access devices.