An infant is admitted with suspected pertussis. Which precaution should the nurse implement in addition to standard precautions?
1Protective isolation with positive pressure.
2Contact precautions only because pertussis is spread by stool.
3Airborne precautions with a negative-pressure room.
4Droplet precautions with a mask for close contact.✓ Correct answer
Explanation
Pertussis spreads through respiratory droplets, so droplet precautions are used in addition to standard precautions. Airborne or protective isolation is not the usual requirement. Pertussis is not primarily spread by stool.
Clinical Judgment Use the client cues, timing, labs, and safety risks to select the response that best fits Pertussis droplet precautions.
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 Pertussis droplet precautions, 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.
Pertussis — A contagious respiratory infection also known as whooping cough.
Droplet Precautions — Precautions used for pathogens spread in larger respiratory droplets.
Standard Precautions — Basic infection prevention practices used for all clients.