A nurse working in the emergency department is admitting a client who has pertussis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

The correct answer is: c. Wear a surgical mask when providing care to the client.

Choice A: Perform a Mantoux skin test on the client

The Mantoux skin test is used to screen for tuberculosis, not pertussis. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a bacterial infection caused by Bordetella pertussis. The Mantoux test would not be relevant or helpful in diagnosing or managing pertussis.

Choice B: Assign the client to a negative-pressure airflow room

Negative-pressure airflow rooms are typically used for airborne infections such as tuberculosis, measles, or varicella. Pertussis is primarily spread through respiratory droplets, not airborne transmission, so a negative-pressure room is not necessary.

Choice C: Wear a surgical mask when providing care to the client

Wearing a surgical mask is appropriate when caring for a client with pertussis. Pertussis is spread through respiratory droplets, and wearing a mask helps prevent the transmission of the bacteria to healthcare workers and other patients.

Choice D: Recommend that the client’s family members receive antiviral therapy

Antiviral therapy is not effective against pertussis, which is a bacterial infection. Instead, antibiotics such as azithromycin or erythromycin are used to treat pertussis and prevent its spread. Therefore, recommending antiviral therapy would not be appropriate.

Choice A reason: A respiratory rate of 24/min is slightly higher than the normal range (12-20 breaths per minute) and does not necessarily indicate the effectiveness of furosemide in treating pulmonary edema.

Choice B reason: Adventitious breath sounds, such as crackles or wheezes, are often present in pulmonary edema and would not indicate that the furosemide is effective. The resolution of these sounds would be a better indicator of improvement.

Choice C reason: Weight loss of 1.8 kg (4 lb) in the past 24 hours likely indicates a reduction in fluid retention, which is a desired effect of furosemide in the treatment of pulmonary edema. This diuretic effect reduces the fluid overload, thereby improving the symptoms of pulmonary edema.

Choice D reason: An elevation in blood pressure is not an expected outcome of effective furosemide therapy for pulmonary edema. Furosemide is a diuretic and would more likely lead to a reduction in blood pressure due to fluid loss.