A child in the emergency department has fever, cough, conjunctivitis, and a widespread rash. Measles is suspected. Which isolation action should the nurse implement?
1Use contact precautions until the rash resolves.
2Assign the child to a room with another child who has a rash.
3Place the child in an airborne infection isolation room.✓ Correct answer
4Use a surgical mask when giving medications.
Explanation
Suspected measles requires airborne precautions and placement in an airborne infection isolation room when available. Contact precautions alone are insufficient. Cohorting with another child who has an undiagnosed rash can expose both clients to additional infection risks.
Clinical Judgment Use the client cues, timing, labs, and safety risks to select the response that best fits Suspected measles isolation.
Memory Tip Match the strongest cue cluster to the safest nursing judgment.
KR vs US NCLEX items reward cue-based priority thinking rather than isolated recall.
Clinical Practice GuideFor Suspected measles isolation, compare the complete cue pattern with the client's current stability, ordered data, and expected nursing scope.
CautionDo not choose an action from one isolated cue when the full scenario changes priority or safety.
Airborne Precautions — Precautions used for pathogens that remain infectious in small airborne particles.
Measles — A highly contagious viral illness spread through airborne transmission.
Airborne Infection Isolation Room — A room designed to reduce airborne pathogen spread, often with negative pressure.