Final answer:
It is false; precautions must be taken as soon as TB is suspected, due to its highly contagious nature. Isolation precautions are crucial even before confirmation of the disease to prevent its spread.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that precautions for preventing transmission of tuberculosis (TB) do not need to be implemented until it is known for certain the patient or resident is infected is false. TB precautions should be implemented as soon as TB is suspected due to the contagious nature of the disease. The TB bacteria are spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spits. Therefore, it's crucial to start infection control measures immediately upon suspicion to minimize the risk of transmission.
For example, Marsha's doctor ordered her to stay at home, wear a respiratory mask, and confine herself to one room upon suspicion of TB, even before the infection was confirmed. This is a standard practice for infection control. Known as isolation precautions, they aim to prevent the spread of pathogens and protect both the public and healthcare workers from potential exposure.
It's also important to understand that TB screening tests are not always definitive. With a 10 percent probability of a Type I error and a 20 percent probability of a Type II error, there is room for both false positives and false negatives, necessitating the need for additional confirmatory tests, like chest radiographs, to confirm exposure.