A nurse is assessing a newborn 2 hr following birth. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. Instruct visitors to put on a gown and gloves before entering the client's room: Contact precautions require the use of personal protective equipment, including gowns and gloves, to prevent transmission of infectious agents via direct or indirect contact. Visitors and healthcare personnel should don these items before entering the room.

B. Place a box of surgical masks outside the client's room: Masks are used for droplet or airborne precautions, not routine contact precautions. Providing masks outside the room is not necessary unless droplet or airborne infection is suspected.

C. Assign the client to a negative pressure room: Negative pressure rooms are required for airborne precautions, not contact precautions. Contact precautions focus on hand hygiene and barrier protection rather than specialized airflow.

D. Ensure all gloves in the client's room are nonlatex: While glove selection may depend on allergy considerations, using nonlatex gloves is not a requirement specifically for contact precautions. Standard or nitrile gloves are acceptable unless a latex allergy is present.

A. Prepare for chest tube placement: Chest tube placement is indicated for conditions like pneumothorax or pleural effusion, which are not clearly present in this scenario. Immediate interventions should focus on stabilizing the client and evaluating cardiopulmonary status first.

B. Ensure that the client has venous access: Establishing IV access is essential for rapid administration of medications, fluids, or emergency interventions if the client’s condition deteriorates. This is a priority in acute postoperative complications.

C. Place the client in High Fowler's position: Elevating the head of the bed improves lung expansion, reduces dyspnea, and enhances oxygenation in a client experiencing sudden respiratory distress and crackles, which may indicate pulmonary edema or fluid overload.

D. Activate the rapid response team: The client exhibits acute respiratory distress, hypoxemia, tachypnea, and cardiovascular changes. Activating the rapid response team ensures timely advanced intervention and evaluation to prevent further deterioration.

E. Administer fondaparinux as prescribed: Postoperative clients following total hip arthroplasty are at high risk for venous thromboembolism. Administering anticoagulant therapy, such as fondaparinux, helps prevent pulmonary embolism, which could be causing the client’s sudden dyspnea.

F. Administer midazolam as prescribed: Midazolam is a sedative and would not address the client’s acute respiratory distress. Sedation could worsen hypoxemia and respiratory compromise in this scenario.