Question

A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client who has active tuberculosis. Which of the following precautionary measures should the nurse take?

a) Wear a gown, gloves, and a mask during medication administration
b) Administer the medication without any special precautions
c) Instruct the client to wear a mask but forgo additional precautions
d) Isolate the client in a negative pressure room during administration

Answer 1

The nurse should utilize PPE, including a gown, gloves, and an N95 respirator, and administer the medication in a negative pressure room to prevent TB spread. Isolation and proper hand hygiene are essential, and following a DOT regimen can help prevent the development of drug-resistant TB strains.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse preparing to administer medication to a client with active tuberculosis should take several precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the disease. First, the nurse should wear personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes a gown, gloves, and a specialized mask such as an N95 respirator, as tuberculosis is an airborne disease. Additionally, administering the medication in a negative pressure room helps to contain and reduce the risk of spreading the disease because it prevents air from the room, which may contain airborne pathogens, from flowing out into other areas. Isolating clients with TB is crucial to controlling the infection and preventing transmission, and health-care workers should always adhere to stringent hand hygiene practices. Employing Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) helps ensure patient adherence to the medication regimen, which is important for the effective treatment of the disease and the prevention of antibiotic resistance.