Today’s NCLEX-RN® question of the day focuses on a patient’s reverse isolation. Do you know the answer? Let’s find out!
The nurse is caring for a patient in reverse isolation who is undergoing chemotherapy for treatment of lymphoma. The patient asks the nurse, “Why do I have all of these restrictions?”
Which is the best response by the nurse?
A. “We’re isolating you because the source of your infection cannot be identified.”
B. “Reverse isolation protects the nursing staff and visitors from becoming sick with lymphoma.”
C. “This type of isolation protects immunocompromised patients from contracting an infection.”
D. “Reverse isolation is used when a patient’s family is at risk of interfering with medical care.”
Scroll down for the correct answer!
The correct answer to today’s NCLEX® Question is…
C. “This type of isolation protects immunocompromised patients from contracting an infection.”
Rationale: Reverse isolation is used to protect a vulnerable patient from contracting infection. Specifically, it is for patients whose immune system’s ability to fight infections is compromised, and they can suffer severe complications if exposed to infectious agents. Examples include patients undergoing chemotherapy or those with leukemia.
Main Takeaway
Reverse isolation is used to protect a vulnerable patient from contracting infection. Specifically, it is for patients whose immune system’s ability to fight infections is compromised and therefore, they can suffer severe complications if exposed to infectious agents. Examples include patients undergoing chemotherapy or those with leukemia. These patients are usually kept in a private room with an air ventilation system. Before someone enters the room, they need to practice hand hygiene and put on a mask, gloves, and a gown. Visitors are limited and gifts of any kind or plants are not allowed in the room. Personal items and medical equipment should also not be shared.
Incorrect Answer Explanations
A. “We’re isolating you because the source of your infection cannot be identified.”
Rationale: Reverse isolation is not used when the source of an infection cannot be identified. Further, there is no evidence that this patient has an infection.
B. “Reverse isolation protects the nursing staff and visitors from becoming sick with lymphoma.”
Rationale: Reverse isolation does not protect the nursing staff and visitors from contracting a patient’s infection. Furthermore, lymphoma is not transmitted from person to person.
D. “Reverse isolation is used when a patient’s family is at risk of interfering with medical care.”
Rationale: Reverse isolation is not used when a patient’s family is at risk of interfering with medical care. However, patients on reverse isolation will have limited visitors to decrease the transmission of infections to the patient.
Want to learn more about this topic?
Watch the Osmosis video: Infection prevention and control – Precautions and personal protective equipment (PPE): Nursing skills
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