An infection control nurse is teaching a class about transmission of infectious agents. The nurse should include that which of the following diseases is transmitted via airborne transmission?

A. An advance directive is a legal document that outlines a person's preferences for medical treatment, including end-of-life care. Asking the client if they have a copy of their advance directive is appropriate because it can provide valuable information about their wishes regarding medical interventions. It allows the nurse to review the document to ensure that the client's current wishes align with what is documented in their advance directive.
B. In most cases, a competent adult's healthcare decisions, including decisions to refuse treatment, are legally binding and cannot be overridden by family members. It is important for the nurse to educate the client about their rights and ensure that their wishes are respected. Family members may be involved in discussions and support the client's decisions, but they cannot override a competent adult's wishes regarding their medical care.
C. While it's important to involve family members in discussions about the client's wishes, especially if they are the client's designated healthcare proxy or legally authorized decision-maker, family agreement is not required for the client's decision to refuse life-saving measures. The nurse should primarily focus on the client's expressed wishes and ensure that these wishes are understood and respected.
D. The provider's agreement with the client's decision may be necessary to document and implement the plan of care accordingly, but ultimately, the decision to refuse treatment rests with the competent client. The nurse should facilitate communication between the client and the provider to ensure that the client's wishes are understood and documented appropriately.

A. Immunosuppressant medications are drugs that suppress or weaken the immune system. They are often prescribed to prevent rejection of transplanted organs or to treat autoimmune diseases. However, a weakened immune system makes individuals more susceptible to infections because their body's ability to fight off pathogens is compromised. Therefore, clients taking immunosuppressant medications have an increased risk of contracting communicable diseases.
B. Poor nutrition can weaken the immune system, making it less effective in defending against infections. Essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals play crucial roles in immune function. A deficiency in these nutrients can impair immune responses, making individuals more vulnerable to communicable diseases.
C. Keeping immunizations up to date helps protect individuals from specific communicable diseases for which vaccines are available. Vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against particular pathogens, providing immunity. Therefore, if immunizations are up to date, the client's risk of contracting certain communicable diseases is reduced.
D. Aging is associated with changes in the immune system, known as immunosenescence, which can weaken immune responses. Older adults may have decreased production of immune cells and antibodies, making them more susceptible to infections. Additionally, aging is often accompanied by chronic health conditions or medications that further compromise immune function, increasing the risk of communicable diseases.
E. Living in a nursing home or long-term care facility can increase the risk of exposure to communicable diseases due to close contact with other residents, sharing of common spaces, and potentially inadequate infection control practices. Older adults in nursing homes may also have multiple chronic conditions and weakened immune systems, further increasing their susceptibility to infections.