A nurse is caring for a client who has been placed on contact isolation precautions. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?
A.
Inform visitors to remain at least 3 feet away from the client.
B.
Apply sterile gloves when entering the client’s room.
C.
Leave all equipment that is used routinely in the client’s room
D.
Place the client in a negative-pressure airflow room
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is:
C. Leave all equipment that is used routinely in the client’s room.
Explanation:
Contact isolation precautions are a set of infection control measures designed to prevent the transmission of infectious agents that are spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or the patient’s environment. These precautions are necessary for patients who have infections or colonizations with certain microorganisms, such as Clostridioides difficile, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), or Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE).
Rationale for Correct Answer (Option C): Leaving all equipment that is used routinely in the client’s room is essential to prevent cross-contamination. Any equipment that comes into contact with the patient or their environment can become contaminated with infectious agents. If this equipment is then used on another patient without proper disinfection, it can spread the infection. To avoid this, equipment such as blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, and thermometers should be designated for use with only the isolated patient. If single-use or patient-dedicated equipment is not available, the equipment must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before being used on another patient.
Incorrect Options:
- Option A: Inform visitors to remain at least 3 feet away from the client. This option is incorrect because the 3-feet rule applies to droplet precautions, not contact precautions. Droplet precautions are for infections transmitted by large respiratory droplets, such as influenza. Contact precautions focus on preventing the spread of pathogens through touch, not droplets.
- Option B: Apply sterile gloves when entering the client’s room. This option is incorrect because sterile gloves are not required for contact precautions. Standard, non-sterile gloves are sufficient and should be worn when touching the patient or items in the room. Sterile gloves are used for aseptic procedures, not for routine care in isolation.
- Option D: Place the client in a negative-pressure airflow room. This option is incorrect because negative-pressure airflow rooms are used for airborne precautions, not contact precautions. Airborne precautions are necessary for diseases transmitted through tiny airborne particles, such as tuberculosis or measles. Contact precautions do not require specialized ventilation.
Conclusion: In summary, the primary goal of contact precautions is to prevent the spread of pathogens via direct or indirect contact with the patient or their environment. Leaving all routinely used equipment in the patient’s room minimizes the risk of cross-contamination and protects other patients from potential infections. By following these precautions, healthcare providers can effectively manage and control the spread of infectious diseases in healthcare settings.