A patient is diagnosed with meningitis. Which type of isolation precaution is most appropriate for this patient?
Reverse isolation
Droplet Precautions
Standard Precautions
Contact Precautions
The Correct Answer is B
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges that can be caused by various infectious agents, including bacteria and viruses. When caused by organisms like Neisseria meningitidis, it is highly contagious and can spread via respiratory droplets.
Rationale for correct answer:
B. Droplet Precautions: Bacterial meningitis (e.g., meningococcal) spreads through respiratory droplets, especially in the early stages of illness. Droplet precautions involve wearing a surgical mask when within 3 feet of the patient and isolating the patient in a private room.
Rationale for incorrect answers:
A. Reverse isolation (also known as protective isolation) is used to protect immunocompromised patients from external pathogens, not to prevent the spread of infection from the patient.
C. While standard precautions (e.g., hand hygiene, gloves) are always used, they are not sufficient alone for clients with droplet-spread infections like meningitis. Additional droplet precautions are required to reduce the risk of respiratory transmission.
D. Contact precautions are used for infections transmitted through direct or indirect contact with the patient or environment (e.g., C. difficile or MRSA). They are not appropriate for respiratory illnesses like meningitis.
Take home points:
- Clients with bacterial meningitis must be placed on droplet precautions.
- Understanding the transmission route of infections helps determine the right type of isolation precautions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A,C,E,D,B
Explanation
Correct doffing (removal) of PPE is just as important as donning it. Most PPE surfaces are contaminated after client care; removing them in the wrong order greatly increases the risk of self-contamination and transmission to others. Move from clean to dirty.
Rationale for correct answer:
Step 1: Remove and dispose of gloves.
Gloves are typically the most contaminated item. Removing them first immediately lowers the bioburden on your hands (while using proper glove-removal technique to avoid touching the outside surface).
Step 2: Remove eyewear or goggles.
Eye protection may be contaminated by droplets/splashes. With gloves off, your (now cleaner) hands are less likely to contaminate your face when taking goggles off by the side arms/strap.
Step 3: Untie waist and neck strings of gown. Remove gown, rolling it onto itself without touching the contaminated side.
The gown’s front and sleeves are contaminated. Untie, then peel it away from the body, turning the contaminated surface inward to contain pathogens.
Step 4: Untie bottom and then top mask strings and remove from face.
Masks (or respirators) are removed last to maintain respiratory protection while you’re still handling other potentially contaminated PPE. Untying the bottom first, then top prevents the mask from falling forward against your face.
Step 5: Perform hand hygiene.
Always the final step to remove any microorganisms acquired during PPE removal.
Take home points:
- Doff the dirtiest first (gloves) and finish with hand hygiene.
- Never touch the contaminated fronts of gowns, masks, or goggles; handle by clean ties, straps, or inside surfaces only.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C"]
Explanation
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a spore-forming, toxin-producing bacterium that causes severe diarrhea and colitis, often following antibiotic use. It is a major cause of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and is highly contagious through the fecal-oral route.
Rationale for correct answer:
A. “The organism is usually transmitted through the fecal-oral route.” C. difficile spreads when spores from feces are ingested, often via contaminated hands or surfaces. This statement shows an accurate understanding of the mode of transmission.
B. “Hands should always be cleaned with soap and water rather than the alcohol-based hand sanitizer.” Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are ineffective against C. difficile spores. Proper hand hygiene with soap and water is essential to physically remove the spores.
C. “Everyone coming into the room must wear a gown and gloves.” Contact Precautions for C. difficile require gloves and gowns to prevent contamination of clothing and skin with spores.
Rationale for incorrect answers:
D. “While I am in Contact Precautions, I cannot leave the room.” Patients on Contact precautions can leave the room for medically necessary procedures if they follow precautions (e.g., wearing a clean gown, hand hygiene).
E. “C. difficile dies quickly once outside the body.” C. difficile spores are very hardy and can survive on surfaces for weeks to months if not properly disinfected with sporicidal agents.
Take home points:
- C. difficile spreads through the fecal-oral route.
- C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol-based hand sanitizers and many disinfectants.
- Thorough cleaning with sporicidal disinfectants is necessary.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
