A nurse is caring for a patient with shingles. Which of the following isolation precautions should the nurse implement for the patient?

Choice A rationale:

Airborne precautions are used for infectious agents that spread through small respiratory droplets and remain suspended in the air for long periods. Shingles is not transmitted through the airborne route.

Choice B rationale:

Droplet precautions are used for infectious agents that spread through large respiratory droplets and have a limited range. Shingles is not transmitted through large respiratory droplets.

Choice C rationale:

This is the correct response. Contact precautions are implemented for patients with shingles (herpes zoster) because the virus spreads through direct contact with the rash or lesions.

Choice D rationale:

Standard precautions are used for all patients to prevent the transmission of infections from both recognized and unrecognized sources. However, for specific diseases like shingles, additional precautions like contact precautions are also required.

Choice B rationale:

The symptoms described in the scenario, such as fever, headache, malaise, anorexia, pharyngitis, and the progression of a generalized pruritic rash from macules to papules to vesicles to pustules to crusts, are indicative of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection, commonly known as chickenpox. Otitis media (choice B) can be a complication of chickenpox, especially in children.

Choice A rationale:

Chronic kidney disease (choice A) is not a common complication of chickenpox. It is more commonly associated with conditions like diabetes and hypertension.

Choice C rationale:

Rheumatoid arthritis (choice C) is an autoimmune condition and is not a known complication of chickenpox.

Choice D rationale:

Type 2 diabetes (choice D) is not a common complication of chickenpox. Diabetes can increase the risk of infection, but it is not directly related to chickenpox.