A client arrives at a busy outpatient community clinic reporting a four-week history of a blood-tinged productive cough, profound fatigue, and severe night sweats. The healthcare provider suspects active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which initial infection control action is the priority for the practical nurse to implement?
- Provide a standard medical mask for the client to wear and immediately place them in a separate room with the door closed.Answer
- BPut on a fit-tested N95 respirator and complete the intake assessment in the open triage bay.
- CPlace the client in a private examination room and ensure all staff wear standard medical masks when providing care.
- DApply a disposable gown and gloves to initiate contact precautions and dedicate a stethoscope to the client.
Answer
Provide a standard medical mask for the client to wear and immediately place them in a separate room with the door closed.
For a client with suspected active pulmonary tuberculosis (an airborne disease), the immediate priority in an outpatient setting is source control. Placing a standard medical mask on the client contains their respiratory secretions, and rapidly moving them to a separate room with a closed door prevents airborne droplet nuclei from exposing other vulnerable individuals in the shared clinic environment.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Airborne Precautions and Source Control