A patient diagnosed with active tuberculosis is in a negative pressure room for respiratory airborne isolation. How long should the nurse maintain the patient in this type of isolation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient diagnosed with active tuberculosis should be maintained in negative pressure room for respiratory airborne isolation until three consecutive sputum specimens for acid fast bacilli are negative. This is to ensure that the patient is no longer transmitting the bacteria. Other options such as the Mantoux test, discharge orders or normal chest x-ray do not confirm the eradication of the infection, and therefore cannot be used to determine the duration of isolation.

A Patient Diagnosed with Active Tuberculosis Is in a Negative