The client is in isolation in a negative-pressure room for active tuberculosis. He coughs and spews large amounts of blood-tinged sputum but is too weak to cover the mouth and nose with a tissue

Question

Which is the most important intervention for the nurse to implement for self-protection while providing nursing care? 1. Cover client's mouth and nose snugly with a surgical mask.
2. Wear an n-95 mask, gloves, face shield, and isolation gown.
3. Place tissues and a contaminated waste container within reach.
4. Use a properly fitted surgical mask and gloves to help with tissues.

Answer 1

2
2. Wearing suitable protective barriers is the most important intervention to implement because it protects the nurse from the airborne particles and the pathogens that can land on surfaces from droplets of the client's coughing. The nurse wears a mask suitable for airborne precautions to prevent inhalation of suspended Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the air, and gloves, gown, and goggles to protect clothing and mucous membranes from droplet contamination. Respirator masks are used in airborne pre-cautions because these masks filter what the wearer inhales.
1. The client should wear a mask if the client must leave the room because a surgical mask controls what the wearer exhales; otherwise, a mask is not indicated in the iso-lation room.
3. The client can be too sick to perform respiratory hygiene, but the nurse reminds the client to cover the mouth and nose while coughing so that once the client is stronger, the client can help prevent the transmission of M. tuberculosis.
4. The nurse can inhale airborne particles through the pores of a surgical mask, re-gardless of how well it fits, because a surgical mask controls what is exhaled.