What are protective measures for patients with weakened immune systems?

Reverse isolation is a critical practice designed to protect patients who have weakened immune systems from potential infections. This method prevents exposure to pathogens that could be harmful to individuals whose immune responses are compromised, which is common in patients undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy, those with HIV/AIDS, or individuals who have undergone organ transplants.

In reverse isolation, measures like keeping the patient in a controlled environment, using barriers to minimize exposure to germs, and restricting visitors or providing them with proper gowns and masks are essential. This ensures that the patient remains safe from outside infections while still receiving necessary care and support.

The other options, while also important in infection control, do not specifically cater to the unique needs of immunocompromised patients the way reverse isolation does. Universal precautions, for instance, focus on preventing the spread of infections from healthcare workers to patients and among patients themselves, but they do not provide the same level of protective measures that reverse isolation offers for those with weakened immune systems.