An elderly client is admitted and placed into contact and respiratory isolation. The client's spouse becomes upset seeing health care providers in gowns and masks and demands they refrain from wearing them because it is confusing to the client and the spouse thinks the health care providers are scaring the client. The best response by the nurse to help the client and spouse would be to say
A) "Has anyone explained the reason for the isolation to you?"
B) "I understand you are upset, but we have to protect other clients from infection."
C) "It's hospital policy and we all have to abide by the isolation precautions."
D) "Let me show you the items we need when we come in the room."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The best response by the nurse starts with the first step of the nursing process, which is assessment. The nurse first needs to ascertain what the client/spouse knows and understands about the isolation precautions and the need for them. Only then can the nurse provide the specific education the client/spouse needs in order to better cope with the environment, which seems unusual to them.

An Elderly Client Is Admitted and Placed into Contact and Respiratory