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 C
Explanation
Choice A: Have a padded tongue blade available at the client’s bedside.
Having a padded tongue blade available is not recommended for seizure management. Inserting any object into a patient’s mouth during a seizure can cause injury to the teeth, gums, or jaw1. Current guidelines advise against placing anything in the mouth of a person having a seizure. Instead, focus on ensuring the patient’s safety by turning them on their side to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration.
Choice B: Keep the four side rails down when the client is in bed.
Keeping the side rails down is not advisable for a client with a seizure disorder. To prevent injury during a seizure, it is important to keep the side rails up and padded. This helps prevent the client from falling out of bed and sustaining injuries. Additionally, the bed should be kept in its lowest position to minimize the risk of injury from falls.
Choice C: Keep suction equipment available in the client’s room.
Keeping suction equipment available is crucial for managing a client with a seizure disorder. During a seizure, there is a risk of aspiration due to excessive salivation or vomiting. Having suction equipment readily available allows the nurse to quickly clear the client’s airway, reducing the risk of aspiration and ensuring the client can breathe properly.
Choice D: Have wire cutters available at the client’s bedside.
Wire cutters are not typically necessary for managing a seizure disorder. They are sometimes mentioned in the context of clients with Vagus Nerve Stimulators (VNS), where the wire cutters might be used in an emergency to cut the VNS wire. However, this is a rare situation and not a standard precaution for all clients with seizure disorders4.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Limiting the session to 1 hour is a practical approach when teaching older adults. Research indicates that older adults may have shorter attention spans and may become fatigued more quickly than younger individuals. Therefore, keeping the session to a manageable length ensures that the participants remain engaged and retain the information presented. Additionally, shorter sessions can help prevent cognitive overload, making it easier for older adults to absorb and process the material.
Choice B reason:
Providing an environment with minimal distractions is crucial for effective learning, especially for older adults. Distractions such as noise, poor lighting, and uncomfortable seating can hinder concentration and reduce the effectiveness of the educational program. By creating a calm and focused environment, the nurse can help older adults concentrate better on the material being taught. This approach aligns with best practices in adult education, which emphasize the importance of a conducive learning environment.
Choice C reason:
Presenting the information at a 10th-grade reading level is important to ensure that the material is accessible to all participants. Older adults may have varying levels of literacy and educational backgrounds, so using clear and straightforward language helps to ensure that everyone can understand the content. This approach also helps to avoid any potential feelings of frustration or inadequacy that might arise if the material is too complex. Simplifying the language used in educational materials is a widely recommended practice in health education.
Choice D reason:
Using brightly colored paper for written materials can enhance the learning experience for older adults. Bright colors can capture attention and make the materials more visually appealing. Additionally, older adults may have visual impairments, and using high-contrast colors can improve readability. This technique can help to ensure that the written materials are engaging and accessible, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the educational program.