A nurse is caring for a client who has colonized methicillin-resistant

A nurse is caring for a client who has colonized methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which of the following statements reflects the best understanding of the client’s con-dition?

1. “This client has the bacteria present but it hasn’t become infected.”
2. “This makes the client’s MRSA very infectious and so a danger to others.”
3. “Just be sure to follow standard precautions and there won’t be a problem.”
4. “The client needs to be watched closely for a conversion to active MRSA.”

ANSWER

ANS: 1
If a microorganism is present or invades a host, grows, and/or multiplies but does not cause in-fection, this is referred to as colonization.