A nurse is planning care for a 4-year-old child who requires airborne precautions. Which of the following activities should the nurse plan for the child?

Choice A: Contact precautions are not necessary for a child who has mumps, as mumps is not transmitted by direct or indirect contact with the infected person or their environment. Contact precautions are used for infections that are spread by contact with skin, wounds, body fluids, or contaminated surfaces.

Choice B: Standard precautions are always used for any patient care, regardless of their diagnosis or infection status. Standard precautions include hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe injection practices, and proper disposal of waste and sharps. However, standard precautions alone are not sufficient for a child who has mumps, as mumps are transmitted by respiratory droplets.

Choice C: Airborne precautions are not necessary for a child who has mumps, as mumps are not transmitted by small particles that remain suspended in the air and can be inhaled by others. Airborne precautions are used for infections that are spread by airborne transmission, such as tuberculosis, measles, or chickenpox.

Choice D: Droplet precautions are required for a child who has mumps, as mumps are transmitted by large respiratory droplets that are expelled when the infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Droplet precautions include wearing a surgical mask when within 3 feet of the patient, placing the patient in a private room or cohorts with other patients with the same infection, and limiting visitors and staff who are susceptible to the infection.

Choice A: This action is not appropriate, as it may cause more harm than good to separate the child from the parents without sufficient evidence or reason. Separating the child from the parents can cause fear, anxiety, or resentment in both parties and may interfere with establishing rapport and trust. The nurse should only separate the child from the parents if there is an immediate threat or danger to the child's safety.

Choice B: This action is premature, as it may violate confidentiality and ethical principles to report suspected abuse to the authorities without sufficient evidence or reason. Reporting suspected abuse to the authorities can have serious legal and social consequences for both parties and may escalate or worsen the situation. The nurse should only report suspected abuse to the authorities if there is clear evidence or indication of abuse or if mandated by law.

Choice C: This action is irrelevant, as it may not address the issue or help resolve it to ask a psychiatrist to talk with the parents without sufficient evidence or reason. Asking a psychiatrist to talk with the parents can imply that they have mental health problems or that they are guilty of abuse, which can cause stigma, anger, or denial. The nurse should only ask a psychiatrist to talk with the parents if there is evidence or indication of mental health problems or if requested by them.

Choice D: This action is appropriate, as it can help determine whether there is any evidence or reason to suspect abuse or not. Obtaining a detailed history can provide information about how, when, where, and why the bruises occurred and whether they are consistent with accidental or intentional injury. The nurse should obtain a detailed history from both parties separately and in a nonjudgmental and supportive manner.