Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

Which statement is true regarding the removal of dirty linens?

1. Linen should be carried close to the NA's uniform.

2. Linen should be shaken to remove wrinkles.

3. Dirty linens should be removed by rolling it away from the NA.

4. Linen can be taken from one resident's room into another resident's room.

The correct answer is: Dirty linens should be removed by rolling it away from the NA.

The removal of dirty linens is an important task that must be performed with care to prevent the spread of infection and maintain a clean environment in healthcare settings. When dirty linens are removed, they should be rolled away from the nursing assistant (NA) to minimize the risk of contamination. This method helps keep any dirt or pathogens contained within the rolled linens and ensures that the NA’s uniform and surrounding areas are less likely to come into contact with the soiled items. Additionally, rolling the linens prevents them from dragging on the floor, which can introduce additional contaminants. This approach promotes proper hygiene and follows standard infection control practices, making it the most appropriate technique for handling soiled linens in a healthcare setting. Other practices like carrying linens close to the NA's uniform, shaking them to remove wrinkles, or transferring linens from one resident's room to another can potentially increase the risk of spreading infections, which is why these methods are not suitable.