A hospitalized child has varicella. The nurse arranges for which type of infection precautions?

Choice A reason: Droplet precautions are used for diseases like influenza, spread by large respiratory droplets over short distances. Varicella is transmitted via airborne particles and direct contact, requiring airborne precautions with negative pressure rooms to prevent viral spread, making droplet precautions insufficient for this highly contagious infection. Choice B reason: Indirect transmission precautions are not a standard category; contact precautions address indirect spread via fomites. Varicella spreads primarily through airborne routes and direct contact, requiring airborne precautions with specialized ventilation. This option is incorrect, as it does not fully address varicella’s transmission modes in a hospital setting. Choice C reason: Varicella (chickenpox) is highly contagious, spread via airborne viral particles and direct contact. Airborne precautions, including negative pressure rooms and N95 masks, prevent inhalation of infectious aerosols. This is essential in hospitals to protect patients and staff, making it the correct precaution for a child with active varicella. Choice D reason: Contact precautions address direct or fomite transmission, as in MRSA. Varicella requires airborne precautions due to its primary spread via respiratory aerosols. While contact precautions are relevant, they are insufficient alone, as airborne transmission is the dominant mode, making this an incomplete precaution for varicella.