A 34-year-old patient presents to the emergency department with a persistent cough, night sweats, and a recent weight loss. The patient mentions they have recently returned from a country with high incidence of tuberculosis. Given these symptoms and history, what is the most appropriate initial action by the nurse?
Start broad-spectrum antibiotics while awaiting further tests
Place the patient in airborne precautions immediately
Schedule an aggressive workup including a chest X-ray and sputum analysis without isolation precautions
The correct response is to place the patient in airborne precautions to minimize the risk of tuberculosis transmission to other patients and healthcare staff. This precaution is vital as tuberculosis is an airborne disease, and initial symptoms such as coughing can significantly increase the risk of spreading the infection. Electing an aggressive workup at this stage would be necessary afterwards, but immediate isolation remains the most critical primary action. Starting broad-spectrum antibiotics without confirming tuberculosis could lead to inappropriate treatment and resistance. Similarly, providing symptomatic treatment without addressing potential tuberculosis could endanger both the patient and others.
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BCEN CEN
Environment and Toxicology Emergencies, and Communicable Diseases
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