A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to help prevent an incisional infection?

Choice A reason: The severity of the condition may not always correlate with the level of pain experienced by the client. Pain is a subjective experience, and two individuals with the same condition may report different levels of pain.

Choice B reason: Vital signs can be indicators of pain but are not always reliable. For example, some clients may exhibit increased heart rate or blood pressure when in pain, while others may not show significant changes in vital signs despite severe pain.

Choice C reason: Nonverbal behavior can be an indicator of pain, especially in clients who are unable to communicate verbally. However, it is still considered less reliable than self-report because it is subject to interpretation by the observer.

Choice D reason: Self-report of pain is considered the most reliable indicator of a patient's pain experience. It is a direct expression of the client's experience and should be the primary source of assessment whenever possible.

Choice A reason: Airborne precautions are used for diseases that are spread through the air over long distances, such as tuberculosis, measles, or chickenpox. VRE is not typically spread through the air.

Choice B reason: Droplet precautions are used for diseases that are spread through large droplets in the air, such as influenza or pertussis. VRE is not spread through droplets but through contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment.

Choice C reason: A protective environment is designed to protect immunocompromised patients from infection and is not typically used for patients with VRE. This type of precaution includes the use of HEPA filters, laminar air flow, and other strategies to maintain a sterile environment.

Choice D reason: Contact precautions are the appropriate measures for a patient with a VRE infection. VRE can be spread from one person to another through contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment or through person-to-person spread, often via contaminated hands. It is not spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. Therefore, contact precautions, including the use of gloves and gowns, are necessary when caring for patients with VRE to prevent the spread of the bacteria.