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Question

Difficulty: EasyStandard and Transmission-Based Precautions

An emergency department triage nurse evaluates an adult who reports a persistent cough, drenching night sweats, and blood-tinged sputum. While awaiting further medical evaluation for suspected active tuberculosis, which immediate isolation action is most appropriate for the nurse to implement?

  1. Transfer the individual to a negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room.Answer
  2. B
    Place a fitted N95 respirator on the individual while they remain in the triage area.
  3. C
    Initiate droplet precautions by placing the individual in a standard private room.
  4. D
    Seat the individual in the general waiting area at least six feet away from other visitors.

Answer

The most appropriate immediate action is to transfer the individual to a negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room.
Tuberculosis is transmitted via tiny airborne droplet nuclei that can remain suspended in the air for prolonged periods. A negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room is specifically engineered to pull air inward, preventing infectious particles from drifting out into surrounding hospital corridors. Securing this environment is the absolute highest priority to protect staff and other vulnerable clients from exposure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client's reported symptoms (persistent cough, night sweats, hemoptysis).
The clinical presentation is highly suspicious for active pulmonary tuberculosis.
Accurate recognition of infectious disease symptoms is the first step in applying appropriate infection control measures.
2
Determine the required transmission-based precautions for suspected tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis is transmitted via tiny droplet nuclei and requires airborne precautions.
Different pathogens require specific environmental and personal protective controls based on their mode of transmission.
3
Select the nursing intervention that meets the criteria for airborne precautions.
The nurse must secure a negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room.
Negative pressure ensures that contaminated air is safely exhausted to the outside rather than circulating into hospital hallways.

Key Concept

Airborne Precautions for Tuberculosis
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Topics

Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions

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