A nurse is preparing to admit a client who has a new diagnosis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The nurse should plan to place the client in which of the following types of transmission-based precautions?

Choice A Reason: WBC Count 22,000/mm³

A white blood cell (WBC) count of 22,000/mm³ is significantly higher than the normal range, which is typically between 4,000 and 11,000/mm³. An elevated WBC count, known as leukocytosis, often indicates the presence of an infection as the body produces more white blood cells to fight off pathogens. This elevated count can also be seen in other conditions such as inflammation, stress, or bone marrow disorders, but it is a strong indicator of infection.

Choice B Reason: Hgb 15 g/dL

Hemoglobin (Hgb) levels of 15 g/dL fall within the normal range for adults, which is generally 13.8 to 17.2 g/dL for males and 12.1 to 15.1 g/dL for females. Normal hemoglobin levels indicate that the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity is adequate and do not specifically point to an infection.

Choice C Reason: Creatine kinase 75 units/L

Creatine kinase (CK) levels of 75 units/L are within the normal range, which is typically 24 to 204 U/L. CK is an enzyme found in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle, and elevated levels can indicate muscle damage, myocardial infarction, or other conditions affecting these tissues. However, normal CK levels do not indicate the presence of an infection.

Choice D Reason: Platelet count 200,000/mm³

A platelet count of 200,000/mm³ is within the normal range, which is generally between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Platelets are involved in blood clotting, and normal levels do not indicate an infection. Abnormal platelet counts can be associated with bleeding disorders or thrombosis, but a normal count does not suggest an infection.

Choice A Reason:

Nutritional therapy focuses on dietary needs and ensuring patients receive adequate nutrition. While this is important for overall health, it does not directly address the swallowing difficulties experienced by patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Choice B Reason:

This is the correct answer. Speech therapy is essential for patients with Parkinson’s disease who have difficulty swallowing. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are trained to assess and treat swallowing disorders (dysphagia). They can provide exercises and strategies to improve swallowing function and reduce the risk of aspiration.

Choice C Reason:

Occupational therapy helps patients with daily living activities and improving motor skills. While occupational therapists can assist with feeding techniques, they do not specialize in treating swallowing disorders.

Choice D Reason:

Respiratory therapy focuses on breathing and lung function. It is not directly related to swallowing difficulties, although respiratory therapists may be involved if there are complications such as aspiration pneumonia.