NCLEX: A 44-year-old client in airborne isolation is being evaluated for nursing care related to antimicrobial resistanc…

Microbiology Safety and Infection Prevention and Control

Case Study

A 44-year-old client in airborne isolation is being evaluated for nursing care related to antimicrobial resistance. Assessment data include productive cough for 2 weeks with night sweats and hemoptysis. Which nursing action is the priority to keep the client safe?

Question

A. Leave the client alone to promote independence while finishing charting.
B. Stay with the client, remove immediate hazards, reassess, and escalate per facility safety protocol.
C. Apply the first intervention in the policy manual without a current assessment.
D. Delegate the initial assessment and clinical judgment to unlicensed assistive personnel.

Rationale

Correct answer: B. Stay with the client, remove immediate hazards, reassess, and escalate per facility safety protocol.

Rationale: Client safety requires direct assessment, hazard reduction, and timely escalation rather than assumptions, abandonment, or policy-only actions.

Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.

Level: Clinical

Difficulty: Medium

Subtopic: Antimicrobial resistance