What isolation precaution should a nurse initiate for a client with mononucleosis?

For a client with mononucleosis, the appropriate isolation precaution to initiate is droplet precautions. Mononucleosis, often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, is primarily transmitted through saliva, which means that respiratory droplets can spread the virus when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

By implementing droplet precautions, healthcare providers aim to prevent the spread of infectious agents that can be carried in tiny droplets. This includes wearing a surgical mask when interacting with the client and ensuring that the client is in a private room or at least 3 feet away from others who are not infected.

Although mononucleosis is not typically associated with severe respiratory issues, the focus on droplet precautions helps mitigate any potential risk of transmission through respiratory secretions, especially in situations where invasive procedures may be performed.

Other types of precautions, such as contact precautions, are not necessary in this case since the transmission mode does not involve direct contact with contaminated surfaces or bodily fluids. Similarly, airborne precautions are more relevant to diseases that are spread through very small particles that linger in the air, and protective isolation is used for clients with compromised immune systems rather than for infectious diseases like mononucleosis.