A 30-year-old female presents in the emergency room with symptoms of a lower respiratory infection with a productive cough, but there are no N95 respirators for the staff to utilize. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

Don a surgical mask with face shield. Although the patient appears to have a lower respiratory infection with a cough, a surgical mask with face shield is sufficient to provide protection to the nurse. An N95 respirator is not necessary unless the patient is diagnosed with tuberculosis. There is nothing in the question to suggest the patient has tuberculosis rather than pneumonia. It is illegal to refuse the patient admission. Assessing the patient quickly is inappropriate.

A 30-year-old female presents in the emergency room with symptoms...

Category: Safety and Infection Control
Difficulty: 5

Topics: Disease Prevention Health Care Ethics, Law, and Policy Health Care Quality Health Promotion Health Screening Immunity Infection Respiratory

Want help? View the answer with rationale.

Additional Safety and Infection Control Questions

The nurse is caring for a patient with tuberculosis. Which personal protective equipment is appropriate?

Question Type: Multiple Choice - Select One
Difficulty: 3

The nurse is assigned to care for a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with an infected boil that requires lancing. Which personal protective equipment does the nurse don? Select all that apply.

Question Type: Multiple Choice - Select All
Difficulty: 3

The nurse is assessing a neonate’s fit in the car seat for safety. The nurse notes the parent has placed the clip snugly against the infant’s chest at the level of the armpits; the nurse cannot pinch any slack at the shoulder straps. Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

Question Type: Multiple Choice - Select One
Difficulty: 5

Show Calculator

Want help? View the answer with rationale.

Rationale

Additional Safety and Infection Control Questions

Nursing Careers

Nursing Degrees

NCLEX