If a client in the ED presents with symptoms consistent with smallpox, what should the nurse do first?

The best course of action when a client presents with symptoms consistent with smallpox is to place the client in a negative pressure room. This is crucial for controlling airborne pathogens, as smallpox is highly infectious and can be transmitted through the air. Negative pressure rooms help prevent the spread of the virus to other areas in the healthcare facility by ensuring that air flows into the room and not out, minimizing the risk of airborne transmission.

By isolating the patient in a negative pressure room, healthcare providers can also implement additional precautions safely and effectively. This method is critical in managing outbreak situations and protecting both the care environment and other patients from exposure.

Initiating contact precautions, placing a surgical mask on the client, or sending them to the waiting room would not provide the necessary level of containment for a highly infectious condition like smallpox. These actions do not appropriately address the airborne nature of the virus and may ultimately increase the risk of spreading the infection to others in the healthcare setting.