A nurse is assessing a client who had a stroke 2 days ago. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a need for a referral to speech-language pathology?

Choice A reason: I should discard personal health information documents in the trash before leaving the unit is not a correct statement, as it violates the client's privacy and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). I should shred or dispose of personal health information documents in a secure container or according to the facility's policy.

Choice B reason: I can post the client's vital signs in the client's room is not a correct statement, as it exposes the client's health information to unauthorized persons. I should keep the client's vital signs confidential and only share them with the client and the health care team.

Choice C reason: I can use another nurse's password as long as I log off after using the computer is not a correct statement, as it compromises the security and integrity of the electronic health record. I should use my own password and never share it with anyone else.

Choice D reason: I should encrypt personal health information when sending emails is a correct statement, as it protects the client's privacy and the HIPAA. I should use encryption or other secure methods when transmitting personal health information electronically.

Choice A reason: This is a correct statement by the newly licensed nurse. Airborne precautions are used for clients who have infections that can be transmitted through the air, such as tuberculosis, chickenpox, or measles. The nurse should have the client wear a mask when leaving the room to prevent spreading the infection to others.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect statement by the newly licensed nurse. A negative-pressure airflow room is used for clients who are on airborne precautions, not for clients who have compromised immunity. A negative-pressure airflow room prevents contaminated air from escaping the room and infecting others. A client who has compromised immunity should be placed in a positive-pressure airflow room, which prevents outside air from entering the room and exposing the client to pathogens.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect statement by the newly licensed nurse. An N95 respirator mask is used for clients who are on airborne precautions, not for clients who are on droplet precautions. Droplet precautions are used for clients who have infections that can be transmitted through respiratory droplets, such as influenza, pertussis, or meningitis. The nurse should wear a surgical mask, not an N95 respirator mask, when caring for a client who is on droplet precautions.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect statement by the newly licensed nurse. Visitors do not need to wear a mask when visiting a client who is on contact precautions, unless they are in direct contact with the client or the client's environment. Contact precautions are used for clients who have infections that can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact, such as MRSA, VRE, or C. difficile. The nurse should wear gloves and a gown, and perform hand hygiene before and after caring for a client who is on contact precautions.