A nurse is caring for a client who has active tuberculosis (TB). Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take to prevent the transmission of the disease?
A.
Initiate contact precautions for the client upon admission.
B.
Restrict visitors from entering the client’s room during hospitalization.
C.
Wear a surgical mask while providing care for the client.
D.
Have the client wear a surgical mask while being transported outside the room.
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: D. Have the client wear a surgical mask while being transported outside the room.
Explanation:
Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious airborne disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The primary mode of transmission is through the inhalation of respiratory droplets from an infected person. Therefore, effective infection control measures are essential to prevent the spread of TB in healthcare settings.
Key Points:
- Airborne Precautions:
- TB is transmitted via airborne particles, not direct contact. Therefore, airborne precautions are required, not contact precautions as mentioned in option A. These precautions involve placing the patient in a negative pressure room to contain airborne particles and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Visitor Management:
- While restricting visitors (Option B) may seem logical, it is not typically necessary unless visitors are at high risk of contracting TB or if the client is in a highly contagious stage. Visitor education and appropriate precautions, such as wearing masks, are more common practices.
- Mask Usage:
- Option C suggests that the nurse should wear a surgical mask. However, for protection against TB, a N95 respirator or a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) is necessary because these are specifically designed to filter out airborne particles, including TB bacteria. A surgical mask is insufficient to prevent inhalation of TB particles.
- Client’s Mask Use:
- The correct approach (Option D) is to have the client wear a surgical mask when being transported outside their isolation room. While in the room, a negative pressure system manages airborne particles. However, when the client leaves the room, wearing a surgical mask reduces the risk of spreading TB bacteria to others by containing respiratory droplets.
Conclusion:
In summary, the most crucial action to prevent the transmission of TB when the client is outside their room is to ensure they wear a surgical mask. This practice minimizes the release of infectious droplets into the environment, protecting others from potential exposure. Proper infection control measures, including airborne precautions, PPE usage, and client education, are vital in managing TB effectively in healthcare settings.