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 Reason
Lifting the client to the bed with assistance is not recommended during a seizure. Moving the client can increase the risk of injury to both the client and the nurse. The primary focus should be on ensuring the client’s safety by preventing injury from nearby objects and allowing the seizure to run its course.
Choice B Reason
Turning the client onto their back is not advisable during a seizure. This position can increase the risk of airway obstruction and aspiration. Instead, the client should be turned onto their side to maintain an open airway and allow any secretions to drain from the mouth, reducing the risk of aspiration.
Choice C Reason
Clearing the nearby area of furniture is the most appropriate action. This helps to prevent the client from injuring themselves on hard or sharp objects during the seizure. Ensuring a safe environment is a key priority in managing a seizure, as it minimizes the risk of physical harm.
Choice D Reason
Placing a tongue depressor in the client’s mouth is an outdated and dangerous practice. It can cause injury to the client’s teeth, mouth, or airway. There is also a risk of the client biting down and breaking the depressor, leading to choking hazards. Modern seizure management guidelines strongly advise against placing any objects in the client’s mouth during a seizure.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Airborne precautions are necessary for clients with tuberculosis (TB) because TB is an airborne disease. It is transmitted through tiny droplets released into the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These precautions include placing the client in a negative pressure room, using N95 respirators for healthcare workers, and ensuring the client wears a surgical mask when outside their room. These measures help prevent the spread of TB to others.
Choice B Reason:
Protective precautions, also known as reverse isolation, are used to protect immunocompromised patients from infections. These precautions are not appropriate for a client with TB, as the primary concern is preventing the spread of TB from the infected client to others, not protecting the client from external infections.
Choice C Reason:
Contact precautions are used for infections that are spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or their environment, such as MRSA or C. difficile. TB is not spread through contact but through airborne particles, so contact precautions are not sufficient for preventing the transmission of TB.
Choice D Reason:
Droplet precautions are used for diseases that are spread through large respiratory droplets, such as influenza or pertussis. While TB is a respiratory disease, it is spread through much smaller airborne particles that can remain suspended in the air for longer periods, making airborne precautions necessary instead of droplet precautions.
