A nurse is admitting a client who has active tuberculosis. Which of the following nursing interventions is appropriate?
A.
Place the client in a room that is ventilated to the outside.
B.
Wear a gown when delivering the client’s food tray.
C.
Prohibit visitors while the client’s infection is active.
D.
Administer a tuberculin skin test prior to discharge.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Place the client in a room that is ventilated to the outside.
Explanation:
When admitting a client with active tuberculosis (TB), the primary concern is preventing the spread of the infection to other patients and healthcare personnel. TB is an airborne infectious disease, meaning that the bacteria can be transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Therefore, the most critical nursing intervention is to isolate the client in a room designed for airborne infection isolation.
Option A is appropriate because placing the client in a room ventilated to the outside helps ensure that the air containing TB bacteria is exhausted outside, reducing the risk of airborne transmission within the healthcare facility. These rooms typically have negative pressure, meaning that air flows into the room but not out, helping to contain any infectious particles.
Option B is less appropriate because while it is important to wear protective equipment, a gown is not necessary when delivering a food tray. Instead, healthcare providers should wear an N95 respirator or higher-level mask to protect against inhalation of airborne pathogens.
Option C is not accurate as prohibiting visitors outright is not typically feasible or necessary. While precautions should be taken, including limiting visitors and ensuring they wear appropriate masks, total prohibition is not standard practice.
Option D is also incorrect because a tuberculin skin test (TST) is not administered to clients with active TB. The TST is used for screening asymptomatic individuals who are at risk of TB exposure or infection, not for those already diagnosed with active disease.
In summary, the best nursing intervention for a client with active tuberculosis is to place them in a properly ventilated room to minimize the risk of spreading the infection, making option A the most appropriate choice.