Question

A client hospitalized with MRSA (methicillin-resistant staph aureus) is placed on contact precautions. Which statement is true regarding precautions for infections spread by contact? A. The client should be placed in a room with negative pressure. B. Infection requires close contact; therefore, the door may remain open. C. Transmission is highly likely, so the client should wear a mask at all times. D. Infection requires skin-to-skin contact and is prevented by handwashing, gloves, and a gown.

Short answer

Answer: Infection requires skin-to-skin contact and is prevented by handwashing, gloves, and a gown.

Step-by-step solution

Understand MRSA and contact precautions

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics. Contact precautions are guidelines used to prevent the spread of infections that can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact with the patient or the patient's environment.

Evaluate statement A

Statement A says that the client should be placed in a room with negative pressure. Negative pressure rooms are mainly used for airborne precautions, for infections that can spread through the air, like tuberculosis or measles. Since MRSA is spread through contact, not by air, statement A is incorrect.

Evaluate statement B

Statement B says that infection requires close contact, so the door may remain open. While it's true that contact precautions focus on preventing close contact transmission, it's still advisable to keep the door closed to limit room-to-room transmission and provide privacy for the patient. So, statement B is not entirely accurate and cannot be considered as the correct answer.

Evaluate statement C

Statement C says that transmission is highly likely, so the client should wear a mask at all times. While MRSA transmission is a concern, wearing a mask is not the primary means to prevent its spread, as it's mainly transmitted through direct or indirect contact. Masks are mainly used for respiratory infections, while MRSA is a skin infection. Thus, statement C is incorrect.

Evaluate statement D

Statement D says that infection requires skin-to-skin contact and is prevented by handwashing, gloves, and a gown. This statement is accurate, as one of the main routes for MRSA transmission is skin-to-skin contact. Handwashing, using gloves, and wearing a gown are essential components of contact precautions to prevent the spread of the infection. Therefore, statement D is correct.

Conclusion

To conclude, considering the given answer choices about contact precautions for MRSA infection, the correct answer is option D. Infection requires skin-to-skin contact and is prevented by handwashing, gloves, and a gown.