A client arrives at an outpatient clinic triage desk reporting a four-week history of a persistent cough, blood-tinged sputum, and severe night sweats. The waiting room is crowded with other clients. In what sequence should the practical nurse (PN) perform the following actions to ensure safety and infection control?
- 1Provide a standard surgical mask to the client and instruct them to wear it immediately.
- 2Escort the client to a designated negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room (AIIR).
- 3Perform hand hygiene and don a fit-tested N95 respirator prior to entering the client's room.
- 4Collect a focused respiratory history and obtain the client's vital signs.
- 5Report the clinical findings to the healthcare provider to initiate appropriate diagnostic testing.
Answer
The correct priority sequence is to first establish source control by masking the client, second to physically isolate the client in a negative-pressure room, third to don appropriate personal protective equipment (N95 respirator) for self-protection, fourth to safely assess the client, and finally to report the clinical findings to the healthcare provider.
In any scenario involving a highly contagious airborne pathogen in a public space, the absolute first priority is source control (placing a surgical mask on the client). Once the immediate threat to the environment is mitigated, the client must be isolated (moved to an AIIR). Only after the client is isolated should the nurse don specialized protective equipment (N95 respirator) to safely enter the room, conduct the required nursing assessment, and subsequently report the findings to the provider.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Prioritization of Infection Control: Source Control and Airborne Precautions