A 5-year-old boy with mumps is being transferred to the pediatric unit. Which nursing intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

Choice A reason: Scheduling bedside play time with occupational therapy is supportive for psychosocial needs, but it does not address the immediate infection control priority. Mumps is highly contagious, and preventing transmission is the most urgent intervention. Choice B reason: Instructing parents about transmission precautions is important for education, but it is not the first or most immediate action. Education should follow after infection control measures are already in place. Choice C reason: Placing an isolation cart outside the room to initiate droplet precautions is the correct action. Mumps spreads through respiratory droplets, and droplet precautions are essential to prevent transmission to other children and staff. This intervention directly addresses the most urgent safety concern. Choice D reason: Assigning the child to a room near the nurse’s station may facilitate observation, but it does not prevent transmission of infection. Infection control measures take priority over proximity to staff.