What action can minimize a patient's risk for infection when reconnecting prescribed intravenous fluids after drawing blood?

The action that minimizes a patient's risk for infection when reconnecting prescribed intravenous fluids after drawing blood is to cleanse the IV needleless connector and the end of the IV tubing with a 2% chlorhexidine swab. Chlorhexidine is a powerful antiseptic that effectively reduces pathogens on the skin and surfaces, making it an ideal choice for preventing infections during medical procedures.

Using chlorhexidine not only lowers the bacterial load but also has residual antimicrobial effects that continue working for a period of time after application, providing an extra layer of protection. This is particularly important when reconnecting IV lines, as any introduction of contaminants can potentially lead to severe infections in patients who often have compromised immune systems or have invasive lines placed.

Other methods such as using only an alcohol swab may not provide the same level of efficacy as chlorhexidine. While alcohol is effective at instant disinfection, it does not have the prolonged antimicrobial action that chlorhexidine does. Cleansing with saline or soap is less effective in terms of infection prevention and does not offer the necessary bactericidal properties required during such critical interventions. Therefore, utilizing a 2% chlorhexidine swab is the most effective strategy in minimizing infection risks during this procedure.