What precautions should a nurse take when caring for a patient with tuberculosis?

In caring for a patient with tuberculosis (TB), using airborne precautions is crucial due to the nature of the disease. TB is primarily transmitted through airborne particles that can be inhaled by individuals in close proximity to an infected person, especially in enclosed spaces where the bacteria can linger in the air.

Wearing an N95 respirator mask is vital because it is designed to filter out airborne pathogens, providing appropriate protection for healthcare workers who may be exposed to TB. This mask helps prevent the transmission of the bacteria that causes tuberculosis, which is particularly critical in healthcare settings.

Airborne precautions also typically include placing the patient in a negative pressure room, which helps contain the infectious particles within the room and prevents them from spreading to other areas of the facility. This environment is essential for protecting both the healthcare providers and other patients in the facility from potential exposure.

While some other precautions are important in various infection control scenarios, they are not adequate for TB. For example, contact precautions and droplet precautions target different modes of transmission that are not applicable to TB, which can be effectively prevented with the appropriate airborne precautions. Standard precautions alone do not provide sufficient protection against airborne pathogens, which underscores the necessity of the specific measures related to tuberculosis care.