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:
While it is important to monitor bowel movements, especially since opioids like morphine can cause constipation, this is not the immediate priority. Opioid-induced constipation is a common side effect due to decreased gastrointestinal motility. However, it does not pose an immediate life-threatening risk compared to respiratory depression.
Choice B Reason:
A respiratory rate of 7 breaths per minute is significantly below the normal range for adults, which is typically 12-20 breaths per minute. This indicates severe respiratory depression, a known and potentially fatal side effect of morphine. Immediate intervention is required to ensure the patient’s airway is maintained and to prevent respiratory arrest.
Choice C Reason:
Although the client reporting a pain level of 8 out of 10 indicates that the pain is not adequately controlled, this is not the most urgent concern compared to respiratory depression. Pain management is crucial, but ensuring the patient’s respiratory function takes precedence.
Choice D Reason:
A distended bladder can be a side effect of morphine due to urinary retention. While this needs to be addressed to prevent discomfort and potential complications, it is not as critical as managing a severely low respiratory rate.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
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.