Final answer:
The priority for a nurse when a client is under airborne precautions is to use a negative pressure room, which helps contain infectious particles and prevent their spread within a healthcare facility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked about a priority item for a nurse when a client is under airborne precautions. The correct answer is C) Use a negative pressure room. This measure is taken to prevent the spread of infections that are transmitted through airborne droplets which can stay in the air for significant periods of time and travel over distances. Negative pressure rooms ensure that air flows into the room but not out into the rest of the facility, which helps contain any infectious particles.
Other standard protocols, like using a sterile field when starting IVs (A), are also important in preventing sepsis by maintaining asepsis during medical procedures. However, while ensuring a patient wears a mask (D) and keeping the curtain drawn (B) can be beneficial, these do not directly address the airborne nature of the pathogen.
Furthermore, as noted in the reference material, healthcare professionals may use various protective measures such as specialized suits or other personal protective equipment (PPE), rigorous hand hygiene, and strict disinfection protocols when working with patients under airborne precautions, which are crucial in preventing healthcare-associated infections.