BCEN CEN Practice Question

Airborne precautions are the best initial action for a patient with suspected tuberculosis. TB spreads via airborne droplet nuclei, so the nurse should immediately place the patient in a negative-pressure room, don an N95 (or higher-level) respirator, and limit patient movement. Further diagnostic steps such as obtaining serial sputum samples can follow. Administering antituberculosis drugs or notifying public-health authorities are important but not the first priority because staff, visitors, and other patients must be protected from exposure before additional measures are taken.