A client with a persistent cough, night sweats, and hemoptysis is admitted to the medical-surgical unit with suspected active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which of the following infection control interventions must the nurse implement? (Select all that apply.)
- Place the client in a private room equipped with negative-pressure airflow.Answer
- Keep the door to the client's room completely closed at all times.Answer
- Provide the client with a standard surgical mask to wear during transport outside the room.Answer
- DRemove the fit-tested N95 respirator inside the client's room immediately before entering the hallway.
- EDon a clean disposable gown and gloves upon every entry into the client's room.
- FProhibit all visitors from entering the room until the client achieves three consecutive negative sputum smears.
Answer
The nurse must place the client in a negative-pressure room, keep the door completely closed, and have the client wear a standard surgical mask when transport is necessary.
Active pulmonary tuberculosis is highly contagious and transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei. Strict Airborne Precautions are required to halt transmission. This protocol mandates placing the client in a private room with negative-pressure airflow to safely exhaust contaminated air outside the facility or through high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. The door must remain completely closed at all times to maintain this negative pressure environment. When transport outside the isolation room is essential, the client must wear a standard surgical mask to contain infectious respiratory secretions at the source.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Airborne Precautions for Pulmonary Tuberculosis