Saunders Respiratory Practice

What should be included in discharge instructions for a client undergoing treatment for tuberculosis?

1. Resume full activities without restrictions

2. Notify family members about their exposure

3. Sputum cultures are optional

4. Isolation is necessary until treatment completes

The correct answer is: Notify family members about their exposure

Including in discharge instructions that the client should notify family members about their exposure is crucial for public health and safety. This action allows family members to be aware of their potential risk and to take precautionary measures, such as monitoring for symptoms, possibly seeking medical evaluation, or undergoing testing. Tuberculosis is a contagious disease spread through the air, and informing others of exposure helps prevent its transmission to those who are more vulnerable, such as young children or individuals with compromised immune systems. In contrast, suggesting that a client can resume full activities without restrictions might undermine effective management of the disease and increase the risk of spreading the infection. The notion that sputum cultures are optional does not align with standard medical practice; regular monitoring of sputum cultures is critical to assess treatment efficacy and ensure the patient is no longer infectious. Lastly, stating that isolation is necessary until treatment is completed overstates the situation since, after an adequate period on effective treatment, most patients are no longer contagious. Thus, precautionary measures around communication about exposure are essential to promote broader community health.