On a long-term care unit, three residents on one hallway developed vomiting and watery diarrhea within 24 hours, and norovirus is suspected. A 78-year-old resident last vomited at 0600 today; it is now 1400, and the resident asks to eat lunch in the dining room. The resident's roommate has no symptoms. A nursing assistant on the unit reports having had diarrhea overnight. Which actions should the nurse take? Select all that apply.

Quick answer
Mask for vomitus cleanup, keep precautions 48 hours past symptoms, and exclude the ill staff member for 48 hours.

Why this is correct
The timing details decide this item. The resident has been symptom-free for only 8 hours, and CDC guidance keeps norovirus precautions (and restriction from group dining) for at least 48 hours after symptoms resolve. The same 48-hour rule applies to the nursing assistant, who is a likely vector for spreading the outbreak. Vomiting aerosolizes virus, so a surgical mask (with eye protection if splashing) is recommended during cleanup in addition to gown and gloves.

Easy analogy or mental picture
Norovirus is like glitter: the party (symptoms) can be over, but it keeps turning up for days afterward.

Memory hook
Norovirus: 48 after the last, soap beats rub, cohort the sick, not the well.

NCLEX decision rule
In an outbreak, base the end of precautions and staff return on time since last symptoms, not on how the client feels now.

Why the other choices are wrong
Returning to the dining room after 8 hours is tempting because the resident looks well, but it exposes the whole unit before the 48-hour window. Alcohol-based rub is the default for most care, so it feels correct, yet it has limited activity against non-enveloped norovirus and soap and water is preferred in this outbreak. Moving the well roommate in with another ill resident misapplies cohorting; it exposes a susceptible person instead of separating ill from well.