NCLEX: A 62-year-old client on a postoperative unit is being evaluated for heart failure exacerbation. Assessment data i…

Adult health / medical-surgical nursing Physiological Adaptation

Case Study

A 62-year-old client on a postoperative unit is being evaluated for heart failure exacerbation. Assessment data include sudden slurred speech and right-sided weakness began 30 minutes ago. Which infection-prevention action is essential?

Question

A. Wear gloves only and skip hand hygiene when leaving the room.
B. Perform hand hygiene and apply the transmission-based precautions indicated by the client's diagnosis.
C. Use sterile technique for all routine hygiene regardless of diagnosis.
D. Skip precautions if the client has no fever.

Rationale

Correct answer: B. 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.

Level: Foundational

Difficulty: Easy

Subtopic: Cardiac disorders