Question

A nurse is performing a home visit for a client who has TB. As the nurse is leaving the clients house a neighbour asks "is it true that my neighbour has TB?", which response should the nurse make?

A. "You should take precautions againist this infection.
B. "Have you ever been tested for tb?"
C. "Do you have questions about tb?
D. "You should ask the public health department."

Answer 1

The nurse should maintain patient confidentiality and provide general information on TB with a response like "Do you have questions about TB?" This is professional while also being informative about public health concerns.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a nurse is asked by a neighbour whether their neighbour has TB, they need to maintain patient confidentiality while also addressing any public health concerns. The recommended response in such a situation would be to focus on general information about TB rather than the individual case. An appropriate response could be: "Do you have questions about TB?" This response does not confirm or deny the neighbor's condition and instead redirects the conversation towards providing educational information about tuberculosis, which could include how it spreads, symptoms, prevention, and treatment options. By focusing on education, the nurse upholds confidentiality while still providing necessary public health information.