A nurse is admitting a client who has rubella.
Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
A.
Instruct the client’s loved ones that the client should not have fresh flowers in their room.
B.
Wear a surgical mask when within 0.9 m (3 feet) of the client.
C.
Place the client in a room with negative-airflow pressure.
D.
Instruct the client that visitors will not be allowed while they are in isolation.
The correct action the nurse should plan to take is:
B. Wear a surgical mask when within 0.9 m (3 feet) of the client.
Explanation:
- A. Instruct the client’s loved ones that the client should not have fresh flowers in their room: This is not specifically related to rubella. Fresh flowers are typically restricted in cases where infection control measures are in place to prevent fungal infections, such as in immunocompromised patients, but rubella is not one of these conditions.
- B. Wear a surgical mask when within 0.9 m (3 feet) of the client: Rubella (also known as German measles) is transmitted via respiratory droplets, so wearing a surgical mask helps protect against droplet transmission when in close proximity to the client.
- C. Place the client in a room with negative-airflow pressure: Negative-airflow rooms are used for patients with airborne infections (e.g., tuberculosis), not for rubella. Rubella requires droplet precautions rather than airborne precautions.
- D. Instruct the client that visitors will not be allowed while they are in isolation: This is not typically required for rubella. Visitors are generally allowed as long as they follow the appropriate precautions, such as wearing a mask.
Therefore, B. Wear a surgical mask when within 0.9 m (3 feet) of the client is the correct precaution for a client with rubella.