A nurse is planning care for a client who has the communicable disease pertussis. Which of the following isolation guidelines should the nurse include in the plan?

A) HDL 65 mg/dL: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels of 65 mg/dL are considered protective against heart disease. Higher HDL levels are generally associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, so this result is not a concern.

B) LDL 120 mg/dL: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels of 120 mg/dL are elevated for individuals at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, especially with a family history of hyperlipidemia and cardiac disease. An LDL level above 100 mg/dL is a risk factor for heart disease, making this result important to report to the provider for potential intervention.

C) Cholesterol 195 mg/dL: A total cholesterol level of 195 mg/dL is slightly above the recommended level of less than 200 mg/dL but may not be immediately alarming unless the client has other risk factors. However, this value alone is not as critical as LDL levels in assessing risk.

D) Triglycerides 175 mg/dL: Triglyceride levels of 175 mg/dL are slightly elevated, as normal levels are typically less than 150 mg/dL. While elevated triglycerides are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, this level is less critical compared to elevated LDL levels in the context of the client’s family history.

A. Monitor the client for an elevated RBC count.: While an elevated white blood cell count (WBC) is more indicative of appendicitis, an elevated RBC count is not typically used to diagnose appendicitis.

B. Instruct the client to not eat food or drink liquids.: This is important as it prepares the client for a potential surgical procedure. If the appendix is inflamed and surgery is necessary, the client should not eat or drink to prevent complications related to anesthesia and surgery.

C. Administer an enema to the client.: Administering an enema is not recommended as it can increase the risk of perforation of the appendix, which is a serious complication.

D. Maintain the client in a supine position.: While maintaining a supine position may be necessary, it is not as critical as ensuring the client remains NPO (nil per os) in preparation for possible surgery. The position is less of a priority compared to dietary restrictions in this scenario.