Question

Difficulty: MediumStandard and Transmission-Based Precautions

A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client admitted with a persistent cough, night sweats, hemoptysis, and a positive acid-fast bacilli (AFB) sputum smear. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the client's care plan? Select all that apply.

  1. Place the client in a negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room (AIIR).Answer
  2. Ensure all healthcare personnel don a fit-tested N95 respirator or powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) before entering the room.Answer
  3. Apply a standard medical mask to the client if transport outside of the isolation room is required.Answer
  4. D
    Delegate the initial teaching regarding respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
  5. E
    Maintain the door to the client's isolation room slightly open to promote air circulation.
  6. F
    Don a clean gown and clean gloves prior to entering the room for routine physical assessments.

Answer

The correct interventions are placing the client in a negative-pressure room, ensuring staff wear N95 respirators or PAPRs, and applying a standard medical mask to the client during transport.
Active pulmonary tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei. Proper management requires placing the client in a negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) to safely exhaust contaminated air. Healthcare personnel must wear an N95 respirator or PAPR to filter out the bacteria before inhalation. If the client must leave the room, they must wear a standard medical mask to trap droplets at the source.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client's clinical presentation.
The client has night sweats, hemoptysis, and a positive AFB smear, which are classic indicators of active pulmonary tuberculosis.
Identifying the specific pathogen or disease presentation determines the correct transmission-based precautions.
2
Determine the required isolation category.
Active pulmonary tuberculosis requires Airborne Precautions.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is transmitted via small droplet nuclei that can remain suspended in the air over long distances.
3
Select the interventions that align with Airborne Precautions and safe nursing practice.
The nurse must use a negative-pressure room, wear an N95 respirator, have the client wear a standard mask during transport, keep the door closed, and retain responsibility for initial education.
These specific actions prevent the spread of airborne pathogens and adhere to the registered nurse's scope of practice.

Key Concept

Airborne Precautions for Pulmonary Tuberculosis
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