A nosocomial infection resulting from poor technique is an example of which type of harm?

• A. Direct Harm
• B. Indirect Harm
• C. Systemic Harm
• D. Policy Error

Answer: (A)

Direct harm comes from the actual care action performed and the immediate effect it has on the patient. When sterile technique is poor, the care procedure itself directly introduces pathogens or creates an opportunity for infection, so the patient ends up harmed right as a result of that specific technique. This differs from indirect harm, which would involve secondary effects not tied to the exact care moment, systemic harm which stems from broader organizational issues, or policy error which is about rules rather than the patient-care event. So a nosocomial infection caused by improper technique is direct harm.