Question

The nurse is caring for assigned clients who are all stable. Which client should the nurse see first to minimize the spread of infection?

A.) the client placed in contact isolation who was admitted with a draining abdominal wound
B.) the client admitted with a rash who reports recent exposure to measles
C.) the client who is 48-hours postsurgical procedure
D.) the client admitted with diarrhea who tested positive for Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Answer 1

The nurse should prioritize the client with a rash and recent measles exposure due to the highly contagious nature of measles, per CDC guidelines.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should see the client admitted with a rash who reports recent exposure to measles first to minimize the spread of infection. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can be spread by coughing or sneezing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, measles can live for up to two hours in the air or on surfaces where the infected person coughed or sneezed. Visiting this client first minimizes the risk of the nurse carrying the virus to other clients. Additionally, since measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, assessing the client's status and isolating him appropriately are necessary steps to prevent an outbreak.