Which type of personal protective equipment should the nurse wear when caring for a pediatric patient who is placed on airborne precautions for confirmed chickenpox/herpes zoster? Select all that apply
Disposable gown
N95 respirator mask
Face shield or goggles
Disposable mask
Gloves
Correct Answer : A,B,E
Chickenpox is spread via airborne droplets and direct contact with vesicular fluid, which makes airborne and contact precautions necessary.
Rationale for correct answer:
A. Disposable gown is worn to prevent contact with lesions and contaminated surfaces. Though primarily used for contact precautions, varicella and disseminated herpes zoster require both airborne and contact precautions.
B. The N95 respirator mask provides high-level filtration, protecting the nurse from inhaling airborne particles.
E. Gloves are necessary because of contact precautions-direct contact with vesicle fluid or contaminated surfaces can lead to transmission. Gloves protect both the nurse and other clients.
Rationale for incorrect answers:
C. Face shield or goggles: Eye protection is not routinely required for chickenpox or herpes zoster unless there’s a risk of splashes or sprays. These infections are not primarily transmitted via mucous membrane exposure.
D. Disposable mask: A regular surgical or disposable mask does not offer sufficient protection against airborne pathogens. For airborne precautions, a fit-tested N95 respirator is essential.
Take home points:
- Knowing the mode of transmission of infectious diseases is key to selecting appropriate PPE.
- Airborne precautions require an N95 respirator.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Contact precautions are used when caring for clients with infections that can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact with infectious material, such as wound drainage, feces, or contaminated surfaces.
Rationale for correct answer:
C. Follow standard precautions in all interactions with the client: Standard precautions (e.g., hand hygiene, glove use, avoiding contact with body fluids) are applied to all clients regardless of infection status, and they form the foundation of contact precautions.
Rationale for incorrect answers:
A. Wear a mask during dressing changes: Masks are not routinely required for contact precautions unless there is a risk of splashes or if the infection is also droplet or airborne in nature.
B. Provide disposable meal trays and silverware: This is unnecessary for contact precautions unless the client is also under enteric precautions (e.g., C. difficile) or severely immunocompromised.
D. Use surgical aseptic technique for all direct contact with the client: Surgical aseptic (sterile) technique is reserved for invasive procedures (e.g., catheter insertion, central line dressing changes), not general client interactions.
Take home points:
- Standard precautions are the baseline infection control practices applied to all clients and are always used.
- Contact precautions specifically focus on preventing transmission via direct or indirect contact.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C"]
Explanation
Iatrogenic infections, also known as healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), are infections acquired during the course of receiving healthcare treatment. These infections can result from invasive procedures, improper hand hygiene, or contamination from the healthcare environment.
Rationale for correct answer:
A. Teaching correct handwashing to assigned patients: Hand hygiene is the most effective method to prevent the spread of infection. Educating patients on proper handwashing technique helps reduce transmission of pathogens.
B. Using correct procedures in starting and caring for an intravenous infusion: Proper aseptic technique when inserting and maintaining IV lines reduces the risk of bloodstream infections, a common type of HAI.
C. Providing perineal care to a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter: Perineal care prevents bacterial colonization around the catheter site and reduces the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), a common iatrogenic infection.
Rationale for incorrect answer:
D. Isolating a patient on antibiotics who has been having loose stool for 24 hours: While loose stool could suggest a Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection, isolation might not be warranted until there's confirmation-either through a positive lab result or continued symptoms with clinical suspicion. Premature isolation without evidence may not align with resource allocation or institutional policy.
E. Decreasing a patient’s environmental stimuli to decrease nausea: While comfort measures are important, reducing environmental stimuli for nausea does not contribute to the prevention of infections and is unrelated to infection control practices.
Take home points:
Preventing iatrogenic infections requires vigilance in patient care practices, including:
- proper catheter care
- IV-line maintenance
- patient education on hand hygiene among others
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