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
Placing the client in a high-Fowler’s position during the assessment is not necessary for assessing the carotid arteries. While this position can be useful for other assessments, it is not specifically required for carotid artery evaluation. The client can be in a seated or supine position with the head slightly elevated.
Choice B Reason
Auscultating each carotid artery with the bell of the stethoscope is the most appropriate action. This technique allows the nurse to listen for bruits, which are abnormal sounds indicating turbulent blood flow due to partial obstruction or narrowing of the artery. Using the bell of the stethoscope is crucial because it is better suited for detecting low-pitched vascular sounds.
Choice C Reason
Palpating the carotid arteries simultaneously is not recommended. Doing so can significantly reduce blood flow to the brain, potentially causing dizziness or fainting. Instead, each carotid artery should be palpated individually to assess the amplitude and contour of the pulse without compromising circulation.
Choice D Reason
Massaging the carotid artery while assessing the client is inappropriate and potentially dangerous. Massaging the carotid artery can stimulate the carotid sinus, leading to a reflex drop in heart rate and blood pressure, which can cause syncope (fainting). This action should be avoided during assessment.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason
Using sterile gloves to obtain the sputum specimen is important for maintaining sterility and preventing contamination. However, it is not the first priority action. The timing of the collection is more critical to ensure the accuracy and quality of the specimen.
Choice B Reason
Obtaining the sputum specimen after the client uses mouthwash is incorrect. Mouthwash can kill or alter the microorganisms present in the sputum, leading to inaccurate test results. The client should rinse their mouth with water instead to reduce contamination from oral secretions.
Choice C Reason
Collecting the sputum specimen in the morning is the most appropriate action. Sputum accumulates overnight, making it easier to collect a sufficient sample in the morning. This timing also ensures that the specimen is more concentrated and representative of the lower respiratory tract.
Choice D Reason
Placing the sputum specimen in a clean container is necessary, but it is not the first action to take. The container should be sterile to prevent contamination and ensure the accuracy of the test results. However, the timing of the collection is more critical to obtaining a quality specimen.
