A homeless client arrives in the emergency room. The client verbalizes an inability to bathe for at least one month. What is the nurse's priority?

Choice A reason: This is not the correct answer because a skin infection is not transmitted by airborne droplets. A skin infection is usually caused by bacteria, fungi, or parasites that invade the skin and cause inflammation, redness, itching, or pus. A skin infection can be contagious by direct contact with the infected area or by sharing personal items, such as towels, clothing, or razors. The client with a skin infection should be placed in isolation for contact precautions, which involve wearing gloves and gowns and using disposable equipment.

Choice B reason: This is the correct answer because a fever with cough can be a sign of a respiratory infection that is transmitted by airborne droplets. A respiratory infection is caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi that infect the lungs, throat, or nose and cause symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, or difficulty breathing. A respiratory infection can be contagious by inhaling the tiny droplets that are released when the infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The client with a respiratory infection should be placed in isolation for airborne precautions, which involve wearing a respirator mask and placing the client in a negative pressure room.

Choice C reason: This is not the correct answer because a rash is not transmitted by airborne droplets. A rash is a change in the color, texture, or appearance of the skin that can be caused by various factors, such as allergies, infections, medications, or injuries. A rash can be contagious by direct contact with the affected skin or by sharing personal items, such as clothing, bedding, or sports equipment. The client with a rash should be placed in isolation for contact precautions, which involve wearing gloves and gowns and using disposable equipment.

Choice D reason: This is not the correct answer because heart palpitations are not transmitted by airborne droplets. Heart palpitations are the sensation of having a fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat that can be caused by various factors, such as stress, anxiety, caffeine, nicotine, or heart conditions. Heart palpitations are not contagious and do not require isolation. The client with heart palpitations should be evaluated for the underlying cause and treated accordingly.

Choice A reason: Determine whether it is temporary or permanent is not the nurse's priority action for a client with compromised immunity, because it is not the most urgent and relevant. Determining whether the compromised immunity is temporary or permanent is an important assessment, but it should be done after ensuring the safety and infection prevention of the client. Compromised immunity can be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause, such as medication, disease, or genetic disorder.

Choice B reason: Take the client's vital signs every four hours is not the nurse's priority action for a client with compromised immunity, because it is not the most urgent and relevant. Taking the client's vital signs every four hours is an important monitoring, but it should be done after ensuring the safety and infection prevention of the client. Vital signs can indicate the general health status and the presence of infection or inflammation, such as fever, tachycardia, or hypotension.

Choice C reason: Teach the family members to receive the flu shot annually is not the nurse's priority action for a client with compromised immunity, because it is not the most urgent and relevant. Teaching the family members to receive the flu shot annually is an important education, but it should be done after ensuring the safety and infection prevention of the client. The flu shot is a vaccine that can protect the family members and the client from influenza, which can be a serious and potentially fatal infection for people with compromised immunity.

Choice D reason: Wash hands before entering the client's room is the nurse's priority action for a client with compromised immunity, because it is the most urgent and relevant. Washing hands before entering the client's room is a basic and essential infection prevention measure, which can protect the client from exposure to pathogens that can cause infection. People with compromised immunity have a weakened or impaired immune system, which makes them more susceptible and vulnerable to infection.