The charge nurse must assign a semi-private room to a client with diabetes mellitus admitted for IV antibiotic therapy to treat leg cellulitis. Which of the 4 room assignments is the best option for this client?

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Cellulitis is a common skin bacterial infection that is usually treated with IV antibiotics in clients with diabetes mellitus. Room 2 is the best assignment option for this client with cellulitis. The client with dementia and urinary incontinence who has an external urinary condom catheter is the least susceptible to infection compared to those in rooms 1, 3, and 4. (Option A) The client who is 1 day postoperative laparoscopic cholecystectomy (surgical procedure with small incisions) is at increased risk for infection. The client with cellulitis should not be placed in room 1. (Option C) Although this client has pulmonary embolism, the history of prior splenectomy leads to a very high lifelong risk of rapid sepsis. Splenectomy clients need vaccination against encapsulated organisms (eg, pneumococcus, meningococcus, and Haemophilus influenzaetype B). Even a low-grade fever should be taken seriously in these clients. The client with cellulitis should not be placed in room 3. (Option D) Lupus nephritis is a serious renal complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an inflammatory autoimmune disease that can lead to end-stage kidney disease. The systemic disease and the immunosuppressant (azathioprine [Imuran]) prescribed to slow its progression increase infection risk. The client with cellulitis should not be placed in room 4. Educational objective: A client with an infection should not be assigned to a semi-private room with a client who had surgery or is immunocompromised and receiving immunosuppressants as these clients are highly susceptible to infection. Post-splenectomy clients are also at lifelong risk for rapid sepsis.

The Charge Nurse Must Assign a Semi-Private Room to a Client