Which type of transmission precautions should a nurse initiate for a client with pharyngeal diphtheria?

For a client with pharyngeal diphtheria, the appropriate type of transmission precautions to initiate are droplet precautions. Diphtheria is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which primarily spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Droplet precautions are necessary because the infectious droplets can travel a short distance (typically up to 6 feet) and can be inhaled by individuals in close proximity to the infected person. This emphasizes the importance of wearing masks, using eye protection, and maintaining a safe distance to prevent transmission. In addition, considering the highly contagious nature of respiratory diseases like diphtheria, proper hand hygiene and environmental cleaning are crucial.

On the other hand, contact precautions would mainly apply to infections that spread through direct contact or surfaces contaminated by infected bodily fluids. Airborne precautions would be relevant for diseases that can remain suspended in the air for longer periods, such as tuberculosis or measles, which is not the case for diphtheria. Protective precautions (or reverse isolation) are utilized when caring for immunocompromised patients to protect them from infections rather than to protect others from the patient.