A nurse is assisting with the admission of a client who has leukemia. Which of the following transmission precautions should the nurse implement?

Choice A reason: Droplet precautions are used for diseases that are spread by large respiratory droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, or talking. Examples include influenza, pertussis, and mumps. However, tuberculosis is not spread through large droplets but through airborne particles that can remain suspended in the air for long periods.

Choice B reason: Airborne precautions are necessary for diseases that are transmitted by smaller droplets, which can be suspended in the air for extended periods and can be inhaled. Tuberculosis, particularly pulmonary or laryngeal tuberculosis with a productive cough, requires airborne precautions because the bacteria can be expelled into the air and inhaled by others. The nurse should initiate airborne precautions, which include placing the patient in a negative pressure room and using personal protective equipment such as N95 respirators.

Choice C reason: Contact precautions are used for infections that are spread by direct contact with the patient or the patient's environment. Examples include infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms, scabies, and norovirus. Tuberculosis is not spread by direct contact, so contact precautions are not the primary method of prevention.

Choice D reason: Protective isolation, also known as neutropenic or reverse isolation, is used to protect immunocompromised patients from infections. It is not used for patients with tuberculosis, as the goal is to protect others from the tuberculosis bacteria, not to protect the patient from external infections.

Choice A reason: Wrapping the dressing in a clear plastic bag and discarding it in the bedside trash receptacle is not an appropriate method for disposing of soiled dressings. This approach does not comply with standard infection control protocols, as it could potentially expose healthcare workers and others to biohazardous materials.

Choice B reason: Simply discarding the dressing in the bedside trash receptacle is also inappropriate and unsafe. This method does not contain the biohazardous material properly and could lead to contamination and spread of infectious agents.

Choice C reason: Placing the dressing in a biohazardous waste container is the correct method for disposing of dressings saturated with blood and purulent drainage. According to infection control guidelines, materials that are soaked with potentially infectious agents should be disposed of in designated biohazardous waste containers. These containers are typically red or yellow and are labeled to indicate that they contain materials that require special handling.

Choice D reason: Double bagging the dressing, labeling it "biohazard," and sending it for decontamination is an unnecessary step for routine disposal of soiled dressings. While double bagging may be used in situations where there is a significant spill or leak risk, it is not typically required for standard disposal of wound dressings.