Management of Care Q 22

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You are mentoring a student nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU) while caring for a patient with meningococcal meningitis. Which action by the student requires that you intervene immediately?

  

     A. The student enters the room without putting on a mask and gown.

     B. The student instructs the family that visits are restricted to 10 minutes.

     C. The student gives the patient a warm blanket when he says he feels cold.

     D. The student checks the patient’s pupil response to light every 30 minutes.

    

    

Correct Answer: A. The student enters the room without putting on a mask and gown.

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Meningococcal meningitis is spread through contact with respiratory secretions so use of a mask and gown is required to prevent the spread of the infection to staff members or other patients. The other actions may not be appropriate but they do not require intervention as rapidly.

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Option B: The presence of a family member at the bedside may decrease patient confusion and agitation.

Option C: Patients with hyperthermia frequently complain of feeling chilled, but warming the patient is not an appropriate intervention.

Option D: Checking the pupil response to light is appropriate, but it is not needed every 30 minutes and is uncomfortable for a patient with photophobia. Focus: Prioritization

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