A nurse is assessing an older adult client who has a urinary tract infection (UTI). Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as unique for this age group?

A. "All patients are presumed infectious.": This statement reflects the principle of universal precautions, which assumes that all patients may potentially transmit infectious agents, regardless of their diagnosis or symptoms. It emphasizes the importance of implementing infection prevention practices for every patient encounter to minimize the risk of transmission.
B. "Isolation is not required for most diseases.": While isolation precautions may not be required for all diseases, the statement does not fully capture the concept of universal precautions.
C. "Patients with a known infection are placed in isolation only when they are admitted.": This statement is not accurate as patients with known infections should be placed in isolation as soon as possible to prevent the spread of infection to others.
D. "Patients are not considered infectious until confirmed so by the laboratory.": Waiting for laboratory confirmation before implementing infection control measures could lead to delays in preventing transmission, as patients may be infectious before laboratory results are available.

A. Swelling, tenderness, and purulent drainage around the wound are classic signs of a wound infection. Swelling and tenderness indicate inflammation, while purulent drainage (pus) suggests the presence of infection.
B. Urticaria and itching around the wound are more indicative of an allergic reaction or hypersensitivity rather than a wound infection.
C. Serosanguineous drainage (clear to blood-tinged fluid) is a normal finding in the early stages of wound healing and does not necessarily indicate infection.
D. Brown crusting over the wound may indicate the formation of an eschar, which can occur in wounds undergoing healing, particularly in wounds with necrotic tissue. It is not necessarily indicative of infection unless accompanied by other signs such as erythema, warmth, or purulent drainage.