A nurse is caring for a client who acquired hepatitis A from consuming contaminated food. The client’s mouth is an example of which of the following links in the chain of 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.

Dehydration can cause hypotension, so increasing fluid intake can help to restore fluid levels and improve blood pressure1. Mild dehydration can be treated with fluids and electrolytes, while moderate-to-severe dehydration may require treatment with intravenous fluids and electrolytes2.