Level: Clinical
Difficulty: Medium
Subtopic: Respiratory illness
NCLEX: A 2-year-old toddler in the emergency department is being evaluated for bronchiolitis with respiratory distress….
Pediatric nursing Health Promotion and Maintenance Physiological Adaptation
Case Study
A 2-year-old toddler in the emergency department is being evaluated for bronchiolitis with respiratory distress. Assessment data include temperature 103.1°F (39.5°C) with a new petechial rash. Which infection-prevention action is essential?
Question
A. Perform hand hygiene and apply the transmission-based precautions indicated by the client's diagnosis.
B. Wear gloves only and skip hand hygiene when leaving the room.
C. Use sterile technique for all routine hygiene regardless of diagnosis.
D. Skip precautions if the client has no fever.
B. Wear gloves only and skip hand hygiene when leaving the room.
C. Use sterile technique for all routine hygiene regardless of diagnosis.
D. Skip precautions if the client has no fever.
Rationale
Correct answer: A. Perform hand hygiene and apply the transmission-based precautions indicated by the client's diagnosis.
Rationale: Infection control matches the pathogen route: hand hygiene plus appropriate precautions for contact, droplet, or airborne transmission.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.
Rationale: Infection control matches the pathogen route: hand hygiene plus appropriate precautions for contact, droplet, or airborne transmission.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.