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Difficulty: EasyStandard and Transmission-Based Precautions

A practical nurse is assigned to care for a client diagnosed with bacterial meningitis who is placed on droplet precautions. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) must the nurse wear when entering the client's room?

  1. A standard surgical maskAnswer
  2. B
    An N95 respirator
  3. C
    A sterile gown
  4. D
    Protective shoe covers

Answer

A standard surgical mask
Bacterial meningitis is transmitted through large respiratory droplets generated when the client coughs, sneezes, or talks. The standard requirement for droplet precautions is wearing a standard surgical mask upon room entry to protect the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth from these droplets.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the transmission-based precaution category for the client's diagnosis.
Bacterial meningitis requires droplet precautions due to transmission via large respiratory secretions.
Correctly identifying the isolation category is the first step in determining the necessary protective equipment.
2
Determine the required PPE for the identified precaution category.
Droplet precautions mandate the use of a standard surgical mask upon entering the room.
A standard surgical mask blocks large respiratory droplets from reaching the healthcare worker's nose and mouth.

Key Concept

Droplet precautions require healthcare personnel to wear a standard surgical mask when entering the client's room to prevent the transmission of large respiratory droplets.
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Topics

Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions

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