Nursing Prioritization Delegation Assignment Q 12
When a patient with TB is being prepared for discharge, which statement by the patient indicates the need for further teaching?
A. "Everyone in my family needs to go and see the doctor for TB testing."
B. "I will continue to take my isoniazid until I am feeling completely well."
C. "I will cover my mouth and nose when I sneeze or cough and put my used tissues in a plastic bag."
D. "I will change my diet to include more foods rich in iron, protein, and vitamin C."
Correct Answer: B. “I will continue to take my isoniazid until I am feeling completely well.”
Patients taking isoniazid must continue the drug for 6 months. The other 3 statements are accurate and indicate an understanding of TB. Drug of choice is isoniazid. It is usually given with vitamin B6, pyridoxine (to prevent nerve damage). Isoniazid is recommended for Mantoux or quantiferon positive individuals and should be continued for 6 or 9 months.
Option A: Family members should be tested because of their repeated exposure to the patient. Most people who develop tuberculosis do so after a long period of latency (usually several years after initial primary infection). This is known as secondary tuberculosis.
Option C: Covering the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and placing the tissues in plastic bags help prevent transmission of the causative organism. Although usually a lung infection, tuberculosis is a multi-system disease with protean manifestation. The principal mode of spread is through inhalation of infected aerosolized droplets.
Option D: The dietary changes are recommended for patients with TB. Nutritional supplementation may help to improve outcomes in tuberculosis patients. A study found that nutritional counseling to increase energy intake combined with provision of supplements, when started during the initial phase of tuberculosis treatment, produced a significant increase in body weight, total lean mass, and physical function after six weeks.