A nurse is caring for a client who has influenza and isolation precautions in place. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent the spread of infection?
A.
Administer metronidazole.
B.
Don protective eyewear before entering the room.
C.
Place the client in a negative airflow room.
D.
Wear a mask when working within 3 feet of the client.
D. Wear a mask when working within 3 feet of the client.
Explanation:
Influenza is primarily spread through respiratory droplets. To prevent the spread of infection, it is important to use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when in close proximity to the infected client. Wearing a mask is crucial when working within 3 feet of the client to protect both the nurse and other individuals from inhaling respiratory droplets.
Here’s why the other options are not appropriate for influenza:
- A. Administer metronidazole: Metronidazole is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections and is not effective against influenza, which is caused by a virus.
- B. Don protective eyewear before entering the room: While eyewear may be necessary in some situations, it is not specifically required for preventing the spread of influenza. Masks are more critical for droplet protection.
- C. Place the client in a negative airflow room: Negative airflow rooms are used for airborne precautions, typically for diseases such as tuberculosis, not for influenza, which requires droplet precautions.