A nurse is admitting a client who has pneumonia. The nurse should initiate which of the following isolation precautions for the client?

• The correct answer is Choice A.

  Choice A rationale: Forming a committee of staff members to investigate current staffing issues is the first step the nurse manager should take. This is because it is important to understand the root cause of the problem before implementing any changes. By forming a committee, the nurse manager can gather different perspectives and insights from the staff members who are directly affected by the staffing issues. This will help in identifying the specific problems and coming up with effective solutions. Furthermore, involving the staff in the decision-making process can increase their acceptance of the changes and reduce resistance.

  Choice B rationale: Providing support to staff members who are resistant to staffing changes is an important step, but it should not be the first action. Before providing support, the nurse manager needs to understand the specific issues causing the resistance. This can be achieved by forming a committee of staff members to investigate the staffing issues.

  Choice C rationale: Scheduling a staff meeting to present the different options to staff members is a crucial step in the process. However, this should be done after the nurse manager has a clear understanding of the staffing issues and has identified potential solutions. Presenting options without first understanding the problem may lead to ineffective solutions and increased resistance from staff members.

  Choice D rationale: Giving the staff members advance written notice of staffing changes is a necessary step to ensure transparency and to give staff members time to adjust. However, this should be done after the nurse manager has identified the staffing issues, explored potential solutions, and decided on the changes to be implemented.

Assign the client to a private room with negative air pressure.

Rationale:

• A. Incorrect. Restricting fresh flowers from the client's room is not necessary for infection control purposes. However, some clients with pulmonary tuberculosis may have hypersensitivity reactions to certain plants or flowers, so the nurse should assess the client's allergies before allowing them in the room.
• B. Incorrect. Maintaining a distance of 1.8 m (6 feet) from the client is not sufficient to prevent transmission of tuberculosis. Visitors should also wear a HEPA respirator and limit their contact time with the client.
• C. Incorrect. A surgical mask is not adequate to protect the nurse from inhaling airborne droplet nuclei that contain Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The nurse should wear a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) respirator when providing client care.
• D. Correct. Assigning the client to a private room with negative air pressure is the most effective way to prevent the spread of tuberculosis to other clients and staff members. The room should have at least six air exchanges per hour and an exhaust system that vents directly to the outside.