A charge nurse is observing a staff nurse who is caring for a child who has pertussis. Which of the following actions by the staff nurse indicates an understanding of infection control practices?

A. "Let's review the side effects of metronidazole.” Metronidazole is used to treat bacterial infections like bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis, not syphilis. Syphilis is typically treated with penicillin or other appropriate antibiotics.

B. “I have to contact your parents.” At 20 years old, the patient is an adult and has a right to medical privacy. Contacting their parents without consent would violate patient confidentiality laws.

C. “You need to come back in a week for retesting" Retesting is important in the follow-up for sexually transmitted infections, but it is usually scheduled for a later date (e.g., after treatment is completed and time has passed to check for cure or reinfection). A week is too soon for meaningful retesting for syphilis.

D. “I have to notify the public health department.” Syphilis is a reportable disease, meaning healthcare providers are required to notify public health authorities to help control the spread of the infection. This is necessary for public health tracking and intervention.

A. Inform the client to contact the pharmacy regarding any questions related to the medication. While pharmacists can provide additional information, the nurse should ensure the adolescent understands the medication instructions and has immediate answers to any questions during the teaching session.

B. Provide instructions to the client's parent with the client present. Adolescents may be more comfortable discussing sensitive topics such as STIs privately. The primary teaching should be directed to the adolescent to respect their autonomy and privacy.

C. Instruct the client's parents to write down the information that is being provided. This is not appropriate for an adolescent who is capable of understanding their own medical information. The focus should be on ensuring the adolescent comprehends the information.

D. Ask how the client prefers to learn new information. Correct. Asking the adolescent how they prefer to learn new information helps tailor the education to their learning style, making it more effective and respectful of their preferences.