The charge nurse is notified that a client is being admitted with a diagnosis of active shingles with a disseminated rash. Which room assignment is most appropriate for this client? A)A private room with contact and droplet precautions B)A private room with negative airflow and contact and airborne precautions C)A private room with positive airflow and airborne precautions D)A semi-private 2-bed room with standard precautions

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a reactivation of the varicella-zoster (chicken pox) virus. It is more likely to occur when a client's immune system is compromised by disease (eg, HIV infection) or treatments (eg, chemotherapy). Shingles lesions that are open may transmit the infection by both air and contact. The client with disseminated shingles that are not crusted over will require contact precautions, airborne precautions, and a negative airflow room to prevent transmission of the infection to others in the hospital. Negative airflow pulls air from the hospital environment into the room, and the air from the hospital room then goes directly to the outside rather recirculating to the rest of the hospital. Localized shingles require only standard precautions for clients with intact immune systems and contained/covered lesions. (Option A) Negative airflow and airborne precautions are also required in addition to contact precautions. Droplet precautions are not necessary. (Option C) Positive airflow would pull fresh air from outside into the hospital room, and then the air from the room would circulate throughout the rest of the hospital. It is not appropriate for this type of infection. Instead, positive airflow would be used for protective isolation in a client who is immunocompromised. (Option D) A semi-private room is not appropriate for this client with a communicable illness. Standard precautions are used for localized shingles in clients with intact immune systems and contained/covered lesions. Educational objective: The client with open lesions from a herpes virus infection, such as shingles or chicken pox, will require both contact and airborne precautions and a private room with negative airflow.

The Charge Nurse Is Notified That a Client Is Being