Question

The charge nurse is responsible for assigning clients to share a semi-private room. Which two clients can be assigned to share the room? A. The 15-year-old with pneumonia and a 10-year-old with human immunovirus B. The 30-year-old with leukemia receiving chemotherapy and the 25year-old with bronchitis C. The 60-year-old with gastroenteritis and the 65-year-old with Cushing's disease D. The 70-year-old with diabetes and the 75-year-old with a fractured hip

Short answer

Answer: Pair C, the 60-year-old with gastroenteritis and the 65-year-old with Cushing's disease, is the most suitable choice as their conditions do not pose any significant risk for complications or infections for either of them.

Step-by-step solution

Analyze Pair A

In Pair A, we have a 15-year-old with pneumonia and a 10-year-old with the human immunovirus. Pneumonia is a respiratory infection, while the human immunovirus can weaken the immune system. Having these two clients share a room can put the 10-year-old at a higher risk of developing pneumonia as well as the 15-year-old at a higher risk of other infections.

Analyze Pair B

In Pair B, we have a 30-year-old with leukemia receiving chemotherapy and a 25-year-old with bronchitis. Chemotherapy can weaken the immune system of the leukemia patient, making them more susceptible to infections. Bronchitis, being a respiratory infection, can pose a potential threat to the leukemia patient's health. Therefore, this pair is not an ideal choice.

Analyze Pair C

In Pair C, we have a 60-year-old with gastroenteritis and a 65-year-old with Cushing's disease. Gastroenteritis is an infection of the intestines, while Cushing's disease affects hormone production in the body. These conditions are unrelated, and there isn't an increased risk of complications or infections for either of the clients if they share a room. This pair seems like a suitable choice for now.

Analyze Pair D

In Pair D, we have a 70-year-old with diabetes and a 75-year-old with a fractured hip. Diabetes can affect the immune system and healing processes, while a fractured hip may limit the patient's mobility. However, these two conditions do not pose a significant risk of complications or infections for either patient if they share a room.

Choose the best pair

Comparing Pair C and Pair D, the most appropriate choice for clients to share a semi-private room would be Pair C (The 60-year-old with gastroenteritis and the 65-year-old with Cushing's disease), as their conditions do not pose any significant risk for complications or infections for either of them.

Key concepts

Patient Safety

When assigning patients to share a room, ensuring their safety is paramount. This involves more than just matching patients by similar age or gender. The primary consideration must be whether their health conditions could pose a risk to each other. For example, respiratory conditions like pneumonia can spread easily and may endanger those with weakened immune systems. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose patient pairs whose conditions won't exacerbate each other's health problems or lead to cross-infections. Ensuring patient safety also involves assessing their mobility and overall care needs to avoid potential falls or injuries.

Some key strategies include:

• Assessing compatibility of medical conditions
• Ensuring patients' treatments do not interfere with one another
• Considering patients' emotional and psychological comfort

Infection Control

Preventing the spread of infections in a healthcare setting is essential. Infection control is a systematic approach involving practices and procedures aimed at mitigating the risk of transmitting infections. When assigning roommates, it's vital to understand the nature of each patient's condition. For example, patients undergoing chemotherapy or those with immunocompromised conditions shouldn't share rooms with those having infectious diseases like bronchitis. This prevents the risk of hospital-acquired infections.

Effective infection control involves:

• Segregating infectious and non-infectious patients
• Regular sanitization of rooms and shared surfaces
• Implementing strict hygiene protocols for staff and patients

Disease Management

Managing diseases involves ensuring patients receive appropriate care tailored to their specific health needs. When patients share a room, their diseases and management plans should not clash, ensuring optimal care for both. For instance, respiratory infections or gastrointestinal issues typically require isolation to stop cross-infections. Thus, patients with manageable, non-transmissible conditions can room together without adversities. Care plans must be flexible to adapt to changes in patient health and include necessary precautions to avoid any escalation of disease symptoms.

Important considerations in disease management include:

• Adhering to specific treatment regimens
• Monitoring for changes in health status
• Preventive care to inhibit disease progression

Nursing Responsibilities

Nurses play a critical role in implementing room assignments that balance multiple factors, including physical space, patient conditions, and care demands. Their responsibilities encompass not just disease management and infection control, but also patient education and support. Nurses must anticipate potential complications, communicate clearly with patients about room sharing decisions, and maintain detailed records of patient interactions and adjustments made to care plans. This holistic approach ensures that both patients’ needs are met while promoting a hygienic and safe healing environment.

Core nursing responsibilities include:

• Evaluating patient condition before and after room assignment
• Educating patients and families about infection prevention
• Coordinating with a multi-disciplinary team for comprehensive care