A nurse is educating a child and family about how to prevent community-acquired infections (CAIs). Which of the following statements by the nurse would be most appropriate to include in the teaching?

Choice A reason: This is the correct answer, as standard precautions are the minimum infection control practices that should be used for all patients, regardless of their diagnosis or infection status. They include hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, safe injection practices, safe handling of potentially contaminated equipment or surfaces, and respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. A private room may also help reduce the exposure of other patients or health care workers to the infectious agent.

Choice B reason: This is not the correct answer, as contact precautions are additional infection control practices that should be used for patients who have infections that can be spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or their environment. They include wearing gloves and gowns, using dedicated equipment, and limiting patient movement outside the room. A semi-private room may also increase the risk of cross-contamination between patients.

Choice C reason: This is not the correct answer, as airborne precautions are additional infection control practices that should be used for patients who have infections that can be spread by small droplets that remain in the air for long periods of time and can be inhaled by others. They include wearing a respirator, placing the patient in a negative pressure room with an air filtration system, and limiting patient movement outside the room.

Choice D reason: This is not the correct answer, as droplet precautions are additional infection control practices that should be used for patients who have infections that can be spread by large droplets that are generated by coughing, sneezing, or talking and can be transmitted to others who are within 3 feet of the patient. They include wearing a surgical mask, placing the patient in a private room or cohorting with other patients with the same infection, and limiting patient movement outside the room. A positive pressure room may also increase the risk of spreading the infection to other areas of the hospital.

Choice A reason: This is the correct answer, as contact precautions are indicated for patients who have infections that can be spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or their environment. CDI is caused by a bacterium that produces spores that can contaminate surfaces or objects and can be transmitted through hand contact.

Choice B reason: This is not the correct answer, as droplet precautions are indicated for patients who have infections that can be spread by large droplets that are generated by coughing, sneezing, or talking and can be transmitted to others who are within 3 feet of the patient. CDI is not spread by respiratory droplets.

Choice C reason: This is not the correct answer, as airborne precautions are indicated for patients who have infections that can be spread by small droplets that remain in the air for long periods of time and can be inhaled by others. CDI is not spread by airborne droplets.

Choice D reason: This is not the correct answer, as neutropenic precautions are indicated for patients who have low white blood cell counts and are at risk of developing infections from normal flora or environmental sources. CDI is not caused by normal flora or environmental sources, but by an overgrowth of a bacterium that is usually present in small amounts in the intestine.