Final answer:
Contact precautions are advised for a client with active genital herpes post-cesarean birth to prevent transmission through direct contact. Hand hygiene, gloves, and gowns are essential, along with disinfecting any items in contact with the client. Neonatal herpes is usually transmitted during delivery through an infected birth canal.
Step-by-step explanation:
A client who has undergone a cesarean birth due to active genital herpes should be placed under contact precautions in the postpartum unit. Herpes simplex virus is not typically transmitted through the air or via droplets, so airborne and droplet precautions are not required. However, due to the potential for virus shedding from the lesions, direct contact with the affected areas or equipment that has touched the area should be avoided. Hence, strict hand hygiene, the use of gloves and gowns when interacting with the client, and careful disinfection of all items that come into contact with her are essential components of contact precautions.
Neonatal herpes is transmitted from the mother to the newborn generally during childbirth as the baby passes through an infected birth canal. To mitigate this risk, a cesarean delivery is often recommended if the mother has an active outbreak or prodromal symptoms at the time of labor. The risk is highest when the mother acquires herpes for the first time during pregnancy. Antiviral medications like acyclovir may be prescribed to prevent outbreaks during pregnancy, especially towards the end of the term.