A client presents to the emergency department triage desk reporting a 3-day history of low-grade fever, malaise, and a newly erupted, itchy vesicular rash starting on the trunk and spreading to the extremities. The client states they have never had chickenpox or received the varicella vaccine. All airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIRs) in the department are currently occupied. What is the most appropriate immediate infection control intervention by the nurse?
- Place a standard surgical mask on the client and isolate them in a standard private room with the door closed.Answer
- BProvide the client with an N95 respirator to wear and ask them to sit in a designated isolation area of the main waiting room.
- CInitiate Droplet and Contact Precautions and place the client in a standard room with the door open for continuous visualization.
- DAssign the client to a standard private room without respiratory protection and restrict care to personnel with documented varicella immunity.
Answer
Place a standard surgical mask on the client and isolate them in a standard private room with the door closed.
The client is presenting with classic signs of primary varicella (chickenpox), which necessitates Airborne and Contact Precautions. Because an Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR) is unavailable, the immediate priority is to provide source control and limit environmental exposure. According to standard infection control guidelines, the client should be given a standard surgical mask and placed in a standard private room with the door closed until an AIIR is available. The mask traps infectious particles at the source, and the closed door prevents contaminated air from freely entering the corridor.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Airborne Precautions Contingency Protocol