Which of the following is an appropriate infection-control measure for a patient with active tuberculosis?

• A. Administer heated humidified oxygen
• B. Delay sputum collection
• C. Encourage visitors with no precautions
• D. Place in airborne isolation with N95

Answer: (D)

Active tuberculosis is spread through tiny airborne particles, so containment relies on airborne precautions. The best infection-control measure is placing the patient in an airborne isolation setup that uses a negative-pressure environment and ensuring healthcare workers wear an N95 respirator. The N95 provides filtration for the small TB bacilli that can linger in the air, and the isolation room helps prevent contaminated air from circulating to other areas.

Other options don’t address transmission risk appropriately. Providing heated humidified oxygen doesn’t reduce airborne spread. Delaying sputum collection can keep the patient coughing in general areas longer and delay diagnosis and appropriate precautions. Encouraging visitors without precautions would expose them to the infectious airborne particles.