When caring for a patient with conjunctivitis, what recommendation should the nurse make regarding personal items?

The recommendation to discard all personal care items that have been used is grounded in the need to prevent the spread of infection and promote healing. Conjunctivitis, whether caused by bacteria or viruses, can easily spread through direct or indirect contact with contaminated items. Personal care products such as eyeliners, mascaras, and applicators could harbor pathogens, and using them again could reintroduce the infection or infect others.

By discarding these items, the risk of reinfection is significantly minimized, allowing for a more effective treatment of the condition. This principle of hygiene applies broadly in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of replacing items that may have come in contact with an infected area, thus ensuring both the safety of the patient and those around them. The emphasis is on preventing further complications and promoting a swift recovery.

Other choices may suggest retaining items that could still harbor infectious agents, which is contrary to good infection control practices.