A nurse is caring for a client who acquired a Staphylococcus aureus infection from touching a contaminated towel. Through which of the following modes of transmission did the client acquire the infection?

Answer: C. Place a surgical mask on the client when they leave their room.

Rationale:

A) Wear a surgical mask when within 0.6 m (2 ft) of the client.
While it is necessary to wear a surgical mask when in close proximity to a client on droplet precautions, the distance specified (0.6 m or 2 ft) is less than the standard recommended distance of 1 meter (3 feet). Therefore, this option is not fully aligned with best practices.

B) Move the client to a positive airflow room.
Positive airflow rooms are typically used for clients with immunosuppression or those who need protection from airborne pathogens, not for those on droplet precautions. This action is not appropriate for a client requiring droplet precautions.

C) Place a surgical mask on the client when they leave their room.
This action is appropriate and essential to minimize the risk of transmission of infectious agents to others when the client is moving outside their isolation area. The client wearing a mask is a key part of droplet precautions.

D) Remove fresh flowers from the client’s room.
While it may be necessary to remove fresh flowers in certain cases (such as for neutropenic clients), this is not specifically related to droplet precautions. Droplet precautions focus primarily on respiratory secretions and do not directly involve the presence of flowers.

The nurse should choose a finger with good circulation, as indicated by a capillary refill time of less than 2 seconds, to obtain an accurate oxygen saturation reading.