The nurse is caring for an infant who has impetigo and is hospitalized. Which nursing intervention is the highest priority for this child?
A.
The nurse applies elbow restraints to the infant.
B.
The nurse soaks the skin with warm water.
C.
The nurse follows contact precautions.
D.
The nurse applies topical antibiotics to the lesions.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. The nurse follows contact precautions.
Explanation:
Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection, commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. It primarily affects infants and young children. The infection presents as red sores that quickly rupture, ooze for a few days, and then form a yellow-brown crust. Because impetigo is spread easily through direct contact with infected skin or through shared objects, infection control is the highest priority.
- Contact precautions are the most important intervention for a hospitalized infant with impetigo. The nurse must follow strict infection control practices, including wearing gloves and a gown, to prevent the spread of infection to other patients, healthcare workers, and visitors. Impetigo is highly contagious, and without appropriate precautions, it can spread rapidly, particularly in hospital settings where other patients may have weakened immune systems.
- Other interventions, while important, are secondary to controlling the spread of infection. For example, applying topical antibiotics is essential for treating the infection, but it does not directly prevent the spread of bacteria. Similarly, soaking the skin with warm water helps in softening the crusts before applying medication, but it is not the first step in managing care.
- Applying elbow restraints might be necessary to prevent the infant from scratching the affected areas, which can lead to further infection or worsening of the lesions. However, this intervention does not address the primary issue of preventing the transmission of the infection to others.
- The priority is always to protect other patients and staff by minimizing the risk of transmission. Contact precautions help contain the spread, which is critical in preventing an outbreak, particularly in a hospital setting where many individuals are vulnerable.
In conclusion, following contact precautions is the most effective way to ensure the safety of others, making it the highest priority nursing intervention for an infant with impetigo.