The nurse is caring for a patient on Contact Precautions. Which of the following actions would be appropriate to prevent the spread of disease?

Question

a. Wear a gown, gloves, face mask, and goggles for interactions with the patient.
b. Use a dedicated blood pressure cuff that stays in the room and is used for that patient only.
c. Place the patient in a room with negative airflow.
d. Transport the patient quickly when going to the radiology department.

Answer 1

ANS: B
Contact Precautions are a type of Isolation Precaution used for patients with illness that can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact. A patient is placed on Contact Precautions if a disease is present that can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact. Patients who are on Contact Precautions should have dedicated equipment wherever possible. This would mean, for example, that one blood pressure cuff and one stethoscope would stay in the room with the patient and would be used for that patient only. A gown and gloves may be required for interactions with a patient who is on Contact Precautions. A face mask and goggles are not part of Contact Precautions. A room with negative airflow is needed for patients placed on Airborne Precautions; it is not necessary for a patient on Contact Precautions. When a patient on Contact Precautions needs to be transported, he should wear clean gowns, and wheelchairs or gurneys should be covered with an extra layer of sheets. Anyone who might come in contact with the patient needs to be protected, and equipment must be cleaned with an approved germicide after patient use and before another patient uses the shared equipment.