A nurse is planning care for a client who has disseminated herpes zoster (shingles). Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?
A.
Place the client in a room with negative airflow.
B.
Remove isolation gown after leaving the client’s room.
C.
Apply ketoconazole to the lesions three times per day.
D.
Provide the client with eye protection for ultraviolet B light therapy.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is A. Place the client in a room with negative airflow.
Explanation:
Disseminated herpes zoster, or shingles, occurs when the virus spreads beyond the localized dermatomes to multiple areas of the body. This condition poses a higher risk for transmission, particularly to individuals with weakened immune systems. Disseminated herpes zoster requires airborne and contact precautions due to the risk of aerosolized virus particles from open lesions. A negative airflow room is essential because it helps contain the virus and prevents it from spreading to other patients, staff, and visitors. Negative airflow systems pull air into the room and filter it out to avoid cross-contamination with other hospital areas.
Here’s why the other options are incorrect:
B. Remove isolation gown after leaving the client’s room.
This is incorrect because personal protective equipment (PPE), including gowns, should be removed inside the client’s room to prevent the spread of the virus to other areas of the hospital. Contact precautions must be maintained.
C. Apply ketoconazole to the lesions three times per day.
Ketoconazole is an antifungal medication, which is not appropriate for treating viral infections like herpes zoster. The treatment for shingles typically includes antiviral medications, such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir, to reduce the severity and duration of the outbreak.
D. Provide the client with eye protection for ultraviolet B light therapy.
Ultraviolet B (UVB) light therapy is not a standard treatment for herpes zoster. This type of therapy is generally used for skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema. The primary treatment for herpes zoster involves antiviral medications, pain management, and, in some cases, corticosteroids.
In summary, the primary concern for a client with disseminated herpes zoster is infection control, making placing them in a negative airflow room a crucial intervention to limit the spread of the virus.