Final answer:
The nurse will need to wear a standard mask when caring for a client with respiratory viral influenza, as it is airborne and highly contagious.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse will need to wear a standard mask when caring for a client with respiratory viral influenza. Respiratory viral influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It spreads through the air via droplets when infected individuals cough, sneeze, or talk. Therefore, it is essential for healthcare providers to wear a standard mask to prevent the spread of the virus to themselves or to other patients.
Other illnesses such as tuberculosis and meningococcal pneumonia may require more specialized respiratory protection, like an N95 respirator, because they can be more infectious or have severe consequences if transmitted. Diphtheria and hepatitis A virus do not generally spread through airborne particles in the same way that the flu does, thus different precautions may be necessary for these diseases.