A nurse is preparing to discharge a client to their home. The client tells the nurse that they are concerned about performing ADLs at home. Which of the following members of the interprofessional team should the nurse consult?

Rationale:
A. Assigning a client to a room with positive airflow is used for protective isolation to protect immunocompromised clients, not for droplet precautions. Influenza requires containment of respiratory droplets, not room airflow for protection.

B. Wearing a surgical mask within 3 feet of the client is correct for droplet precautions. Influenza is transmitted via large respiratory droplets, which typically travel short distances (about 3–6 feet). The surgical mask protects the nurse from inhaling droplets during close contact.

C. An N95 respirator is used for airborne precautions, such as with tuberculosis or measles, where infectious particles are smaller and can remain suspended in the air. Influenza does not require an N95 respirator unless aerosol-generating procedures are performed.

D. A room with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration system is part of airborne isolation to remove smaller particles from the air. This is not necessary for standard droplet precautions, as influenza primarily spreads through larger droplets.

Rationale:
A. The research participant is the only individual who can provide informed consent for participation in a study. This process ensures that the participant fully understands the purpose, procedures, potential risks and benefits, and their rights, including the right to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty. Obtaining informed consent is a cornerstone of ethical research practice and respects the autonomy and decision-making capacity of the participant. The nurse’s role includes educating the participant, clarifying questions, and ensuring understanding, but the ultimate decision lies with the participant.

B. A risk manager evaluates potential risks in healthcare settings and develops strategies to mitigate them. While they may provide consultation regarding safety or liability, they cannot provide consent on behalf of the client. Their role is administrative and preventive, not participatory in research decision-making.

C. The institutional review board (IRB) is responsible for reviewing and approving research protocols to ensure the safety and ethical treatment of participants. The IRB protects participants at the institutional level but does not enroll or consent individual participants.

D. The chair of the ethics committee provides guidance on ethical dilemmas and ensures that research practices adhere to ethical principles. However, like the IRB, they cannot substitute for the participant’s informed consent. Their role is advisory, not participatory in the consent process.