Malcolm is newly assigned as a triage nurse, on his first day of work, the following clients arrive at the ED. Which among the clients require the most rapid action to protect other clients in the ED from infection?
A. An infant with a runny nose and whose older brother has pertussis.
B. A travel blogger who needs tuberculosis testing after exposure to a person with TB during his trip.
C. An elderly woman who has a history of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) leg wound infection.
D. A pregnant woman with a blister-like rash on the face and is possibly having varicella.
Correct Answer: D. A pregnant woman with a blister-like rash on the face and is possibly having varicella.
Chickenpox (Varicella) is transmitted by airborne and can be easily transferred to the other clients in the emergency unit. The pregnant woman with the rash should be isolated right away from other clients through placement in a negative-pressure room.
Options A and C: Droplet and contact precautions should be instituted for the clients with pertussis and MRSA infection, but this can be done after isolating the client with possible varicella.
Option B: The client who has been exposed to TB does not place the other clients at risk for infection because there are no symptoms of active TB.