A nurse is planning postoperative care for a client who is scheduled for a thoracotomy with chest tube placement. Which of the following pieces of equipment should the nurse plan to have at the client's bedside?

A. Wear a bra with wire support: This is not recommended immediately after a modified radical mastectomy, as it can put pressure on the surgical site and cause discomfort or interfere with healing. Instead, the client should wear a soft, supportive bra without underwire to provide comfort and support.
B. Use deodorant under the affected arm: Applying deodorant under the affected arm is generally not recommended immediately after surgery, as the area may be sensitive and the skin may be healing. The client should avoid applying deodorant until the surgical site has healed and they have consulted with their healthcare provider.
C. Begin ball squeezing exercises: While exercises to improve range of motion and strength in the affected arm are important after a mastectomy, initiating them on the first day postoperative may be too early. The client should follow the specific instructions provided by their healthcare provider regarding when to begin exercises and which exercises are appropriate.
D. Avoid using the affected arm for eating: This is the most appropriate instruction for the client. After a modified radical mastectomy, the affected arm may be temporarily restricted in movement or may be sensitive. To avoid strain or discomfort, the client should avoid using the affected arm for activities such as eating until they receive further guidance from their healthcare provider.

A. Contact precautions are used for infections transmitted by direct or indirect contact with the client or their environment. Examples include MRSA, C. difficile, and other multidrug-resistant organisms.
B. Airborne precautions are used for infections transmitted by small droplets that remain suspended in the air and can be inhaled. Examples include tuberculosis (TB), measles, and chickenpox (varicella).
C. Protective environment precautions are typically used for clients with compromised immune systems, such as those undergoing stem cell transplants, to protect them from environmental pathogens.
D. Droplet precautions are used for infections transmitted by large respiratory droplets that can travel up to approximately 3 feet. Examples include bacterial meningitis, influenza, and pertussis. Therefore, the nurse should initiate droplet precautions for the school-age child with bacterial meningitis.