Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 75%
Simulated
Passage / Scenario
School-age child with pertussisA charge nurse is observing a staff nurse who is caring for a child who has pertussis. Which of the following actions by the staff nurse indicates an understanding of infection control practices?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
The correct answer is B: Maintains droplet precautions while the child is coughing and sneezing. This is the correct action because pertussis is spread through droplets when the child coughs or sneezes. Droplet precautions involve wearing a mask within close proximity to the patient to prevent the spread of respiratory secretions.
Explanation for why other choices are incorrect:
A: Airborne precautions are not necessary for pertussis, as it is transmitted through droplets.
C: Wearing gloves when assisting the child to the bathroom is a standard precaution for contact with bodily fluids, but it does not specifically address the transmission of pertussis.
D: Applying a face mask after entering the child's room is not as effective as maintaining droplet precautions during close contact with the child.
Overall, choice B is the most appropriate in preventing the transmission of pertussis in this scenario.
Explanation for why other choices are incorrect:
A: Airborne precautions are not necessary for pertussis, as it is transmitted through droplets.
C: Wearing gloves when assisting the child to the bathroom is a standard precaution for contact with bodily fluids, but it does not specifically address the transmission of pertussis.
D: Applying a face mask after entering the child's room is not as effective as maintaining droplet precautions during close contact with the child.
Overall, choice B is the most appropriate in preventing the transmission of pertussis in this scenario.