A nurse is preparing to admit a client who has a new diagnosis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The nurse should plan to place the client in which of the following types of transmission-based precautions?

Choice A Reason:

Asking about the last physical exam is important for understanding the client’s overall health history, but it is not the most critical question for assessing the risk factors specific to Parkinson’s disease.

Choice B Reason:

This is the correct answer. Family history is a significant risk factor for Parkinson’s disease. Genetic factors can play a role in the development of the disease, and knowing if any family members have Parkinson’s can help in understanding the client’s risk and planning appropriate care.

Choice C Reason:

While occupational history can provide insights into potential environmental exposures that might contribute to Parkinson’s disease, it is not as directly relevant as family history in assessing the risk of developing the disease.

Choice D Reason:

The amount of coffee consumed daily is not directly related to the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Some studies suggest that caffeine might have a protective effect, but this is not a primary factor in assessing the disease.

Choice A Reason:

Contact precautions are recommended for patients with MRSA to prevent the spread of the bacteria. This includes measures such as placing the patient in a single room, using personal protective equipment (PPE) like gowns and gloves, and ensuring proper hand hygiene. These precautions help to minimize the risk of transmission through direct or indirect contact with the patient or their environment.

Choice B Reason:

Protective precautions, also known as reverse isolation, are used to protect immunocompromised patients from infections. This is not applicable for MRSA patients, as the goal is to prevent the spread of MRSA to others, not to protect the patient from external infections.

Choice C Reason:

Airborne precautions are used for diseases that are transmitted through the air, such as tuberculosis or measles. MRSA is not transmitted through airborne particles, so this type of precaution is not appropriate.

Choice D Reason:

Droplet precautions are used for diseases that are spread through large respiratory droplets, such as influenza or pertussis. MRSA is primarily spread through direct contact, not through respiratory droplets, making droplet precautions unnecessary.