A hospitalized client has a newly confirmed Candida auris infection. Which infection-control plan should the nurse implement in the acute care setting?
1Use droplet precautions and a general hospital disinfectant not labeled for this organism
2Use contact precautions and an EPA-registered disinfectant effective against Candida auris✓ Correct answer
3Use airborne precautions and end isolation after the colonized client remains asymptomatic for several days
4Use standard precautions and routine room disinfection for clients colonized without symptoms
Explanation
Candida auris spreads in health care settings and persists on surfaces. Acute care facilities should use contact precautions and a disinfectant with an EPA-registered claim against the organism; some common hospital products are ineffective.
Quick answer Use contact precautions and a disinfectant specifically registered as effective against Candida auris.
Why this is correct Both infected and colonized clients can contaminate the environment. Gown-and-glove barriers, careful equipment handling, and effective daily and terminal disinfection reduce transmission in acute care.
Easy analogy or mental picture Candida auris behaves like residue that can remain on many room surfaces unless the correct cleaner is used. The picture explains persistence, but actual precautions and products must follow current CDC and facility guidance.
Memory hook Candida auris means contact barriers and a disinfectant proven for the organism.
NCLEX decision rule For an emerging health care organism, match transmission precautions and environmental products to organism-specific guidance. Do not assume that a general fungal or routine disinfectant claim is sufficient.
Why the other choices are wrong Droplet and airborne precautions do not match the primary guidance. A negative culture does not reliably end colonization precautions, and asymptomatic colonized clients can still spread the organism.
References
[1]
NCSBN: 2026 NCLEX-RN Test PlanNational Council of State Boards of Nursing
[2]
CDC: Infection Control Guidance for Candida aurisCenters for Disease Control and Prevention