Which interventions would the nurse initiate? A 6-year-old child with leukemia is hospitalized and is receiving combination chemotherapy. Laboratory results indicate that the child is neutropenic. and the nurse prepares to implement protective isolation procedures.

Place the child on a low-bacteria diet.
Change dressings using sterile technique.
Perform meticulous hand washing before caring for the child.

For the hospitalized neutropenic child. flowers or plants should not be kept in the room because standing water and damp soil harbor Aspergillus and Pseudomonas. to which these children are very susceptible. Fruits and vegetables not peeled before being eaten harbor molds and should be avoided until the white blood cell count rises. The child is placed on a low-bacteria diet. Dressings are always changed with sterile technique. Not all visitors need to be restricted. but anyone who is ill should not be allowed in the childs room. Meticulous hand washing is required before caring for the child. In addition. gloves. a mask. and a gown are worn (per agency policy).