multi class comparison
HAI Prevention Bundle Comparison: CAUTI vs CLABSI vs VAP vs SSI
NCLEX questions pair a bundle element with the wrong HAI to see if you bite. Elevating the head of bed prevents VAP, not CAUTI. Chlorhexidine bathing targets CLABSI, not SSI. Mixing up which intervention belongs to which infection means choosing an answer that doesn't protect the client.
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Practice 28 NCLEX-style questions
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Side-by-side4 compared
Focus
Comparevs
Dimension
CAUTI
CLABSI
VAP
SSI
Device / source
- Indwelling urinary catheter
- Central venous catheter (PICC, tunneled)
- ET tube + mechanical ventilation
- Surgical incision
Insertion / setup bundle
- Secure catheter to the thigh
- Smallest catheter size
- ★Maximal sterile barrier precautions
- ★Elevate HOB 30–45° continuously
- ★Antibiotic within 60 min before incision
Daily maintenance
- Closed drainage
- Bag below bladder level
- Chlorhexidine site care
- Scrub the hub before access
- Daily sedation vacation
- Oral care with daily toothbrushing
- Clip (not shave) hair
- Maintain normothermia
Daily necessity / target
- Daily necessity review — remove ASAP
- Daily necessity review — remove ASAP
- Daily SBT
- Extubate as soon as ready
- Glucose < 180 mg/dL perioperatively
What to assess
- Urine color/output
- Signs of UTI
- Site redness/drainage
- Dressing clean, dry, intact
- Secretions, oral mucosa, vent circuit
- Incision approximation, erythema, drainage
Common organisms
- E. coli (most common)
- Proteus, Klebsiella
- Coag-neg staph (most common)
- S. aureus (incl. MRSA)
- Candida
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- S. aureus (incl. MRSA)
- S. aureus (incl. MRSA)
Device / source
CAUTI
- Indwelling urinary catheter
CLABSI
- Central venous catheter (PICC, tunneled)
Insertion / setup bundle
CAUTI
- Secure catheter to the thigh
- Smallest catheter size
CLABSI
- ★Maximal sterile barrier precautions
Daily maintenance
CAUTI
- Closed drainage
- Bag below bladder level
CLABSI
- Chlorhexidine site care
- Scrub the hub before access
Daily necessity / target
CAUTI
- Daily necessity review — remove ASAP
CLABSI
- Daily necessity review — remove ASAP
What to assess
CAUTI
- Urine color/output
- Signs of UTI
CLABSI
- Site redness/drainage
- Dressing clean, dry, intact
Common organisms
CAUTI
- E. coli (most common)
- Proteus, Klebsiella
CLABSI
- Coag-neg staph (most common)
- S. aureus (incl. MRSA)
- Candida
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Clinical Pearl
HOB 30° = VAP. CHG bath = CLABSI. Perineal care = CAUTI. Normothermia + glucose = SSI.
Component Topics
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