A nursing team is reviewing the plan of care for a client who requires both droplet and contact precautions due to a confirmed pertussis infection and a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infected wound. Which of the following actions indicate appropriate adherence to infection control protocols? Select all that apply.
- Donning a disposable gown and clean gloves prior to entering the client's room.Answer
- BPlacing the client in a private room equipped with negative-pressure airflow.
- Wearing a standard surgical mask when providing direct care within 3 feet (1 meter) of the client.Answer
- DAssigning the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to assess the client's wound for signs of delayed healing.
- EApplying a fit-tested N95 respirator to the client prior to transport for a chest x-ray.
- Leaving reusable medical equipment, such as a stethoscope, in the room for dedicated use with this client.Answer
Answer
The appropriate actions for a client on both droplet and contact precautions include donning a gown and gloves before entering the room, wearing a surgical mask within 3 feet of the client, and dedicating reusable equipment to the client's room.
For a client with both pertussis (droplet precautions) and MRSA (contact precautions), the nurse must combine the protocols for both categories. This includes wearing a standard surgical mask when within 3 feet of the client to prevent inhalation of large respiratory droplets, and donning a disposable gown and clean gloves prior to room entry to prevent contact transmission. Additionally, leaving dedicated reusable equipment in the room minimizes the risk of indirect cross-contamination.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions