A nurse is teaching a client who has tuberculosis about infection control with her family at home. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
Explanation & Rationale
A. Clients with active tuberculosis generally require three consecutive negative sputum cultures before being considered noninfectious and cleared to return to work or public settings. Two negative cultures are insufficient. B. Covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing is an essential respiratory hygiene practice that reduces the spread of airborne droplets and helps protect family members from tuberculosis transmission. C. High-filtration masks (such as N95 respirators) are intended for healthcare workers, not clients, in nonclinical home settings. Clients may be instructed to wear a simple surgical mask if needed, but not a high-filtration mask. D. Routine mask use by family members in the home is not required. Instead, emphasis is placed on respiratory hygiene, good ventilation, adherence to medication therapy, and covering the mouth when coughing.