Which client should be assigned to a room with the lowest infection risk after a total knee replacement?

Assigning the client with a leg cast following a tibia fracture to a room with the lowest infection risk is appropriate for several reasons. After a total knee replacement, clients are at increased risk for infections, especially if they have open wounds or active infections.

The client in skeletal traction with pin site erythema may exhibit signs of an infection around the pin sites, indicating a potential breach in the skin's integrity which could lead to systemic infection. The client with cellulitis following tibia trauma has an active infection that must be carefully managed, as it could pose a high risk of spreading to the surgical site. Similarly, the client with compartment syndrome post-fasciotomy may have undergone a surgical intervention that could introduce infection, and they may also be experiencing tissue damage and inflammation, which complicates the risk profile.

In contrast, the client with a leg cast after a tibia fracture is relatively stable without evidence of an active infection. A cast is a closed dressing that protects the fracture site while allowing for stabilization, thus presenting a lower risk for cross-contamination or infection when compared to the others listed. This makes this client the best candidate for assignment to a room with the lowest infection risk.