A nurse is performing a physical assessment of a newborn whose mother used cocaine throughout the pregnancy.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A rationale:

Providing postmortem care for a client who has recently died does not require immediate intervention by the charge nurse, as it is a standard nursing responsibility to provide postmortem care with dignity and respect to the deceased client. The AP can proceed with this task independently.

Choice B rationale:

Performing a simple dressing change on a client's foot is within the scope of practice for an assistive personnel (AP) and does not require immediate intervention by the charge nurse, assuming the AP is competent and trained to perform this task.

Choice C rationale:

Washing hands with alcohol-based hand rub after bathing a client who has Clostridium difficile is not sufficient. Alcohol is not effective against C. Difficile spores.

Choice D rationale:

Clean gloves are sufficient for this task, as they do provide adequate protection against the transmission of infections.

Droplet.

The rationale for each choice is as follows:

• A. Droplet: Correct. Pneumonia is transmitted by respiratory droplets that are generated by coughing, sneezing, or talking. The nurse should wear a surgical mask and eye protection when caring for the client and maintain a distance of at least 3 feet from the client.
• B. Airborne: Incorrect. Airborne precautions are used for diseases that are transmitted by small particles that remain suspended in the air for long periods of time, such as tuberculosis, measles, or chickenpox. The nurse should wear a respirator and place the client in a negative-pressure room.
• C. Contact: Incorrect. Contact precautions are used for diseases that are transmitted by direct or indirect contact with the client or the client's environment, such as Clostridium difficile, scabies, or MRSA. The nurse should wear gloves and a gown and use dedicated equipment for the client.
• D. Protective environment: Incorrect. Protective environment precautions are used for clients who are immunocompromised and at risk of infection from others, such as clients who have had a stem cell transplant or are receiving chemotherapy. The nurse should wear a mask, gloves, and a gown and place the client in a positive-pressure room with HEPA filtration.