A patient with the following infection should be assigned to a Negative-pressure isolation room:

GMCH - 2016

Applied Microbiology & Infection control (E5)

Easy

Appeared in: GMCH - 2016

Explanation

Laryngeal tuberculosis is a form of tuberculosis, which is transmitted via the airborne route.
Airborne transmission involves infectious droplet nuclei (particles smaller than 5 micrometers) that can remain suspended in the air for extended periods and be inhaled by others.
To prevent the spread of airborne pathogens, patients must be placed in an Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR), also known as a negative-pressure room.
This specialized room has a ventilation system that generates negative pressure, causing air to flow from the hallway into the room, thus containing the infectious particles.
Healthcare workers must use personal protective equipment, specifically a fit-tested N95 respirator, when entering the room.

Option B: Herpes simplex is transmitted through direct contact with the lesions or bodily fluids of an infected person. It requires Contact Precautions, not airborne.
Option C: Mycoplasma pneumonia is spread through large respiratory droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It requires Droplet Precautions.
Option D: Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection transmitted by direct contact with the sores or with items that have touched the infected skin (e.g., towels, clothing). It requires Contact Precautions.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Infection Control and Isolation Precautions to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Correctly implementing isolation precautions is a fundamental nursing responsibility to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) among patients, staff, and visitors.
Failure to place a patient with an airborne infection in a negative-pressure room can lead to an outbreak within the healthcare facility.
Nurses must be able to perform a 'tissue test' at the bottom of the door to quickly verify negative pressure if a manometer is not available or is malfunctioning.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Negative-pressure isolation room'.
Recall the purpose of a negative-pressure room, which is to contain airborne pathogens.
This links the room type directly to the mode of transmission. The question is asking to identify the disease with airborne transmission.
Evaluate each option based on its primary mode of transmission.
Tuberculosis (TB) is the classic example of a disease requiring airborne precautions.
Mycoplasma pneumonia requires droplet precautions. Herpes simplex and Impetigo require contact precautions. Therefore, laryngeal tuberculosis is the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QY2Wk-ljqxqUSBlTHfxwen

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 1 p. 43-45

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 p. 233-235

E6 Microbiology Applied AnjuDhir 3e Part 2 p. 144-146