A nurse is beginning a physical exam on a child who is admitted to the pediatric unit with suspected meningococcal meningitis. What is the nurse's priority action?

Perform hand hygiene and apply personal protective equipment.

Explanation:

Irrespective of the test location, hand hygiene facilities is important. The nurses should always wash hands before or after each contact with the patients or equipment touched with body fluid and even after removal of gloves used.

Certain health care practices such as isolation precautions like isolating the gloves and mask to be used, avoid touching the patient before hand washing or PPE is applied should be strictly followed.