What action by an assistive personnel indicates correct protocol in infection prevention?

The action of donning a mask to measure vital signs of a client with pertussis demonstrates correct protocol in infection prevention. Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Wearing a mask serves two primary purposes: it protects the healthcare worker from inhaling infectious droplets and helps prevent the spread of pathogens from the healthcare worker to other patients or the environment.

This action aligns with infection control practices that aim to minimize the risk of transmission in healthcare settings, particularly for airborne and droplet precautions. Ensuring that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, is utilized when interacting with patients with known contagious conditions is crucial for safeguarding both healthcare personnel and other patients.

The behaviors of using hand sanitizer on spilled food, setting aside a gown for future use, and removing gloves after exiting a room do not adhere to infection control protocols effectively, as they either do not appropriately address contamination or do not follow best practices for PPE use in specific scenarios.