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: Bounding Pulses
Bounding pulses are typically associated with increased cardiac output or high blood pressure, rather than active bleeding. In the context of postoperative care, bounding pulses might indicate fluid overload or other cardiovascular issues, but they are not a primary sign of active bleeding.
Choice B: Restlessness
Restlessness is a common sign of hypovolemia, which can occur due to active bleeding. When a patient is losing blood, their body may respond with anxiety or restlessness as a result of decreased oxygen delivery to tissues and organs. This is a compensatory mechanism to maintain perfusion. Restlessness, along with other signs such as tachycardia and hypotension, can indicate significant blood loss and the need for immediate intervention.
Choice C: Warm Skin
Warm skin is generally not associated with active bleeding. In fact, patients who are actively bleeding may present with cool, clammy skin due to peripheral vasoconstriction as the body attempts to maintain core temperature and blood flow to vital organs. Warm skin might be observed in other conditions, such as fever or inflammation, but it is not a typical sign of active bleeding.
Choice D: Brisk Capillary Refill
Brisk capillary refill, which is a capillary refill time of less than 2 seconds, indicates good peripheral perfusion and is not a sign of active bleeding. In contrast, a delayed capillary refill time (greater than 2 seconds) can be a sign of poor perfusion, which might occur in the case of significant blood loss. Therefore, brisk capillary refill is not indicative of active bleeding.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason
Increased heart rate during physical activity can be a common finding in clients who have been on bed rest for an extended period. This is due to deconditioning of the cardiovascular system. While it is important to monitor and address, it is not the most immediate concern compared to other potential complications.
Choice B Reason
Loss of appetite is another common issue in clients who have been on prolonged bed rest. It can lead to nutritional deficiencies and weight loss, which are significant concerns. However, it is not as urgent as other findings that might indicate more acute complications.
Choice C Reason
Left lower extremity tenderness is the most critical finding and should be identified as the priority. This symptom can indicate deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious condition that can lead to life-threatening complications such as pulmonary embolism if not promptly addressed. DVT is a common risk for clients who have been immobile for extended periods, making it a top priority for immediate
intervention.
Choice D Reason
Musculoskeletal weakness is expected in clients who have been on bed rest for several weeks. It results from muscle atrophy and deconditioning. While it is an important issue to address through rehabilitation and physical therapy, it does not pose an immediate threat to the client’s life compared to the risk of DVT.