The nurse is assigning rooms for four clients, each newly diagnosed, and being admitted to the acute neuro unit for treatment. The client with which condition should be assigned the only private room available?

Rationale: A. Bacterial meningitis: This condition is highly contagious and transmitted via respiratory droplets. A private room with droplet precautions is required to prevent the spread of infection to others. B. Septic shock: Although serious, it is not typically contagious. The client needs intensive monitoring, but isolation is not necessary unless another transmissible condition is present. C. Brain abscess: A brain abscess is not communicable and does not require isolation. It results from localized infection and can be managed safely in a shared room with appropriate care. D. Viral encephalitis: Viral encephalitis is usually not spread person to person in a hospital setting. Standard precautions are generally sufficient unless another communicable disease is involved.