A nurse is caring for a group of clients on an infectious disease unit.
The nurse should wear an N95 respirator mask when caring for a client who has which of the following disorders?

Choice A rationale:

Scabies is a skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. While it is contagious, it does not require the use of an N95 respirator mask. Standard precautions, including wearing gloves, are sufficient when caring for a client with scabies.

Choice B rationale:

Mycoplasmal pneumonia is a type of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It is typically spread through respiratory droplets and does not require the use of an N95 respirator mask. Standard precautions, including wearing a mask, are appropriate for this condition.

Choice C rationale:

Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. To prevent the inhalation of TB bacteria, healthcare workers should wear N95 respirator masks (or higher level respirators) when caring for clients with active TB disease.

Choice D rationale:

Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that develops in some people who have strep throat. It is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria and is typically treated with antibiotics. Scarlet fever does not require the use of an N95 respirator mask. Standard precautions, including wearing gloves and a mask, are appropriate when caring for a client with scarlet fever. Wearing an N95 respirator mask is crucial when caring for clients with airborne infectious diseases like tuberculosis. This type of mask is designed to filter out at least 95% of airborne particles, providing a high level of protection for healthcare workers.

Choice A rationale: While ‘A’ is a vowel, it is not the most commonly used vowel when combining word parts in medical terminology.

Choice B rationale: ‘E’ is also a vowel, but it is not the most commonly used vowel when combining word parts in medical terminology.

Choice C rationale: ‘I’ is occasionally used as a combining vowel in medical terminology, but it is not the most commonly used.

Choice D rationale: ‘O’ is the most commonly used vowel when combining word parts in medical terminology. It helps with pronunciation and is placed to connect two word roots or to connect a word root and a suffix.

Choice E rationale: ‘U’ is a vowel, but it is not the most commonly used vowel when combining word parts in medical terminology