Final answer:
For a patient with a surgical-site infection and purulent discharge, Contact precautions are best. These involve direct contact or indirect contact, with strict hygiene practices and careful disinfection of all items coming near the patient.
Step-by-step explanation:
For a patient with a surgical-site infection and purulent discharge, Contact Precautions are indicated. Contact transmission includes direct contact (person-to-person) or indirect contact involving inanimate objects or fomites that become contaminated by pathogens from an infected individual. Direct contact transmission occurs through physical actions such as touching or droplet sprays, oftentimes involving mucous membranes or skin-to-skin contact. Indirect contact transmission involves objects used in clinical settings like syringes, needles, and other surgical equipment that are not properly sterilized. Proper hand hygiene practices, careful disinfection of all items coming into contact with the patient, and isolation of the patient are considered best practices for managing these types of infections.
Learn more about Contact Precautions