During the morning shift, a vocational nurse is assigned to care for a client who was admitted with bacterial meningitis. The client has subsequently developed profuse diarrhea that tested positive for Clostridioides difficile. Which interventions should the nurse include when organizing care for this client? (Select all that apply)
- Don a surgical mask, an isolation gown, and clean gloves prior to entering the client's room.Answer
- Perform hand hygiene using soap and water rather than an alcohol-based hand rub after providing care.Answer
- Apply a standard surgical mask to the client when transport outside of the isolation room is necessary.Answer
- DDoff the surgical mask first before removing the contaminated gloves and isolation gown.
- EPost a brightly colored sign on the client's door that specifies the active infections to alert all visitors.
- FInstruct the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to auscultate the client's bowel sounds to monitor the diarrhea.
Answer
The correct interventions are to don a surgical mask, gown, and gloves prior to entry; use soap and water for hand hygiene; and place a surgical mask on the client during necessary transport.
Bacterial meningitis is transmitted via large respiratory droplets, requiring a surgical mask when within 3 feet of the client. Clostridioides difficile is an enteric pathogen transmitted via contact, requiring a gown and gloves. Therefore, the nurse must don a mask, gown, and gloves before entering. C. difficile spores resist alcohol, making soap and water mandatory for hand hygiene. Finally, clients on droplet precautions must wear a standard surgical mask when transported to contain their own respiratory secretions.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions: Synthesizing Droplet and Contact Precautions