Free BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Question

Contact precautions are the most appropriate initial measure for suspected multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) like MRSA or VRE. This involves wearing gloves and gowns when entering the patient's room and during patient care activities. While standard precautions are always necessary, they are not sufficient for suspected MDROs. Droplet precautions are typically used for respiratory infections, and airborne precautions are for pathogens that can remain suspended in the air, which is not the case for most MDROs causing skin infections. Implementing contact precautions helps prevent the spread of these resistant organisms to other patients and healthcare workers through direct contact or contact with contaminated surfaces.