Question

The nurse is caring for a client who developed pneumonia while hospitalized. How will the nurse document this condition?

A.) contagious disease
B.) health care-associated infection (HCAI)
C.) community-acquired infection
D.) infectious disease

Answer 1

A client who develops pneumonia while hospitalized would have their condition documented as a health care-associated infection (HCAI), which is distinct from illnesses contracted outside of a healthcare setting.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse will document the condition of a client who developed pneumonia while hospitalized as a health care-associated infection (HCAI). This terminology is used to describe infections, such as pneumonia, that are acquired in hospital or healthcare service unit settings. These infections can result from pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and various proteobacteria introduced via contaminated medical devices like ventilators and catheters. Patients at risk are often the elderly, those with preexisting lung conditions, or the immunocompromised, and these infections can be particularly severe due to factors like invasive medical devices and antibiotic resistance.