A charge nurse has four new clients arriving on the unit for admission. Which of the following clients should the nurse place in airborne precautions?
A client who has tuberculosis.
A client who has pneumonia.
A client who has shigella.
A client who has strep throat.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs and is spread through airborne particles. When a person with active TB coughs, sneezes, or talks, they release tiny droplets containing the bacteria into the air, which can be inhaled by others1. Therefore, placing a client with TB in airborne precautions is essential to prevent the spread of the infection. This involves using a negative pressure room and requiring healthcare workers to wear N95 respirators or higher-level protection.
Choice B Reason:
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which can fill with fluid or pus. While pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, it is typically spread through respiratory droplets rather than airborne particles. Therefore, droplet precautions, rather than airborne precautions, are usually sufficient for managing clients with pneumonia. This includes wearing masks and maintaining a safe distance from the infected person.
Choice C Reason:
Shigella is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the intestines and is spread through the fecal-oral route. It is not transmitted through the air, so airborne precautions are not necessary. Instead, contact precautions are recommended to prevent the spread of Shigella, which involves wearing gloves and gowns when handling the patient or their environment and practicing good hand hygiene.
Choice D Reason:
Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus. It is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Similar to pneumonia, droplet precautions are sufficient for managing clients with strep throat. This includes wearing masks and maintaining a safe distance from the infected person to prevent the spread of the bacteria.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Refrigerating the solution before irrigation is not recommended. The solution should be at room temperature to avoid causing discomfort or vasoconstriction, which can impede the healing process.
Choice B Reason:
Administering an analgesic medication 5 minutes before starting irrigation is correct. This action helps manage the client’s pain during the procedure, ensuring comfort and compliance.
Choice C Reason:
Using one pair of gloves for both dressing removal and irrigation is incorrect. The nurse should use separate pairs of gloves to prevent cross-contamination and maintain aseptic technique.
Choice D Reason:
Using a syringe with a catheter for wound irrigation is correct practice. This method allows for controlled and directed irrigation, ensuring the wound is properly cleaned.

Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason
Preparing an incident report is an important step in documenting the oversight and ensuring that similar errors are prevented in the future. However, it is not the immediate priority when addressing the current situation. The primary focus should be on ensuring the client’s safety and the timely completion of the necessary preoperative procedures.
Choice B Reason
Canceling the client’s surgery is a drastic measure that should only be considered if there is no other way to ensure the client’s safety. Before taking such a step, the nurse should explore all other options to rectify the situation, such as notifying the operative team and the provider. This allows for a collaborative approach to determine the best course of action.
Choice C Reason
Notifying the operative team of the omission is the most appropriate action. This ensures that all relevant healthcare providers are aware of the situation and can take the necessary steps to address it. The operative team can then decide whether to proceed with the surgery as planned or to delay it until the type and crossmatch are completed. This collaborative approach prioritizes the client’s safety and ensures that all necessary precautions are taken.
Choice D Reason
Giving the client another blood consent form to sign is not directly related to addressing the overlooked prescription for a type and crossmatch. While obtaining informed consent is crucial, it does not resolve the immediate issue of ensuring that the client has the correct blood type and crossmatch completed before surgery. The focus should be on rectifying the oversight and ensuring that all preoperative requirements are met.