After 2 months of tuberculosis ( TB ) treatment with a standard four-drug regimen, a patient continues to have positive sputum smears for acid-fast bacilli ( AFB ). Which action should the nurse take next?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first action should be to determine whether the patient has been compliant with drug therapy because negative sputum smears would be expected if the TB bacillus is susceptible to the medications and if the medications have been taken correctly. Depending on whether the patient has been compliant or not, different medications or directly observed therapy may be indicated. A two-drug regimen will be used only if the sputum smears are negative for AFB.

After 2 Months of Tuberculosis ( TB ) Treatment with a Standard