A client has been hospitalized with tuberculosis (TB). The client's spouse is fearful of entering the room where the client is in isolation and refuses to visit. What action by the nurse is best?
a. Ask the spouse to explain the fear of visiting in further detail.
b. Inform the spouse the precautions are meant to keep other clients safe.
c. Show the spouse how to follow the isolation precautions to avoid illness.
d. Tell the spouse that he or she has already been exposed, so it's safe to visit.
ANS: A
The nurse needs to obtain further information about the spouse's specific fears so they can be addressed. This will decrease stress and permit visitation, which will be beneficial for both client and spouse. Precautions for TB prevent transmission to all who come into contact with the client. Explaining isolation precautions and what to do when entering the room will be helpful, but this is too narrow in scope to be the best answer. Telling the spouse it's safe to visit is demeaning of the spouse's feelings.
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