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:

Contact precautions are recommended for patients with MRSA to prevent the spread of the bacteria. This includes measures such as placing the patient in a single room, using personal protective equipment (PPE) like gowns and gloves, and ensuring proper hand hygiene. These precautions help to minimize the risk of transmission through direct or indirect contact with the patient or their environment.

Choice B Reason:

Protective precautions, also known as reverse isolation, are used to protect immunocompromised patients from infections. This is not applicable for MRSA patients, as the goal is to prevent the spread of MRSA to others, not to protect the patient from external infections.

Choice C Reason:

Airborne precautions are used for diseases that are transmitted through the air, such as tuberculosis or measles. MRSA is not transmitted through airborne particles, so this type of precaution is not appropriate.

Choice D Reason:

Droplet precautions are used for diseases that are spread through large respiratory droplets, such as influenza or pertussis. MRSA is primarily spread through direct contact, not through respiratory droplets, making droplet precautions unnecessary.

Choice A Reason:

A rigid abdomen is not a typical finding in a client with diarrhea. It may indicate a more serious condition such as peritonitis or an acute abdomen, which requires immediate medical attention.

Choice B Reason:

This is the correct answer. Dehydration is a common complication of prolonged diarrhea due to the significant loss of fluids and electrolytes. Symptoms of dehydration include excessive thirst, dry mouth, dark-colored urine, and dizziness.

Choice C Reason:

Hypothermia is not commonly associated with diarrhea. Diarrhea typically does not affect body temperature to the extent of causing hypothermia.

Choice D Reason:

Decreased bowel sounds are not typically expected with diarrhea. In fact, bowel sounds may be hyperactive due to increased intestinal activity.