A hospitalized client has confirmed crusted scabies. Which action should the nurse include in the infection-control plan?
1Use droplet precautions and wear a surgical mask for routine room entry
2Place the client in airborne isolation and wear a fit-tested respirator
3Use standard precautions and return worn clothing to the bedside cabinet after routine care
4Wear gown and gloves for contact and bag contaminated clothing and linens✓ Correct answer
Explanation
Crusted scabies has a heavy mite burden and spreads readily through skin contact and contaminated items. Contact precautions with gown and gloves plus careful bagging and laundering of clothing and linens reduce transmission.
Quick answer Use contact precautions and contain contaminated clothing and linens for safe processing.
Why this is correct Crusted scabies can shed many mites into the environment. Gown and gloves reduce direct transfer during care, while bagging exposed textiles prevents mites from spreading to staff, other clients, or clean surfaces before laundering.
Easy analogy or mental picture Containment works like sealing glitter in a bag before carrying it through a room. The analogy illustrates easy environmental spread but does not describe the organism or replace treatment of the client and exposed contacts.
Memory hook Crusted scabies means contact barrier plus contained textiles.
NCLEX decision rule Match precautions to the transmission route and organism burden. For crusted scabies, prevent direct skin and fomite spread with contact precautions, environmental cleaning, and controlled textile handling.
Why the other choices are wrong Droplet and airborne precautions target respiratory spread. Standard precautions and open storage do not adequately control the high contact and fomite risk.
References
[1]
NCSBN: 2026 NCLEX-RN Test PlanNational Council of State Boards of Nursing
[2]
Clinical Overview of ScabiesU.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention