A nurse is implementing infection control measures for a child who has chickenpox. What statement by the nurse would be most appropriate to educate the child and family about this condition?

Choice A reason: This is the correct answer, as standard precautions are the minimum infection control practices that should be used for all patients, regardless of their diagnosis or infection status. They include hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, safe injection practices, safe handling of potentially contaminated equipment or surfaces, and respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. A private room may also help reduce the exposure of other patients or health care workers to the infectious agent.

Choice B reason: This is not the correct answer, as contact precautions are additional infection control practices that should be used for patients who have infections that can be spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or their environment. They include wearing gloves and gowns, using dedicated equipment, and limiting patient movement outside the room. A semi-private room may also increase the risk of cross-contamination between patients.

Choice C reason: This is not the correct answer, as airborne precautions are additional infection control practices that should be used for patients who have infections that can be spread by small droplets that remain in the air for long periods of time and can be inhaled by others. They include wearing a respirator, placing the patient in a negative pressure room with an air filtration system, and limiting patient movement outside the room.

Choice D reason: This is not the correct answer, as droplet precautions are additional infection control practices that should be used for patients who have infections that can be spread by large droplets that are generated by coughing, sneezing, or talking and can be transmitted to others who are within 3 feet of the patient. They include wearing a surgical mask, placing the patient in a private room or cohorting with other patients with the same infection, and limiting patient movement outside the room. A positive pressure room may also increase the risk of spreading the infection to other areas of the hospital.

Choice A reason: This is not the correct answer, as gloves and gown are not sufficient PPE to wear when entering the room of a patient who has measles. Gloves protect the nurse's hands from exposure to blood or body fluids, and gown protects the nurse's clothing and skin from contamination by blood or body fluids, but they do not protect the nurse's respiratory tract from exposure to airborne droplets that contain the measles virus.

Choice B reason: This is not the correct answer, as gloves and mask are not sufficient PPE to wear when entering the room of a patient who has measles. Gloves protect the nurse's hands from exposure to blood or body fluids, and mask protects the nurse's mouth and nose from exposure to large droplets that are generated by coughing, sneezing, or talking, but they do not protect the nurse's respiratory tract from exposure to small droplets that remain in the air for long periods of time and can be inhaled by others.

Choice C reason: This is not the correct answer, as gloves and eye protection are not sufficient PPE to wear when entering the room of a patient who has measles. Gloves protect the nurse's hands from exposure to blood or body fluids, and eye protection protects the nurse's eyes from exposure to splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids, but they do not protect the nurse's respiratory tract from exposure to airborne droplets that contain the measles virus.

Choice D reason: This is the correct answer, as gloves and respirator are the appropriate PPE to wear when entering the room of a patient who has measles. Gloves protect the nurse's hands from exposure to blood or body fluids, and respirator protects the nurse's respiratory tract from exposure to airborne droplets that contain the measles virus. A respirator is a device that filters out at least 95% of airborne particles and fits tightly around the face.