Tuberculosis FINAL Flashcards
What causes Tuberculosis/TB?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis - Airborne droplets inhaled
TB Risk Factors
- Frequent contact with untreated person
- Immunocompromised
- Living in crowded areas
- Older homeless adults
- IVDU or ETOH abusers
- Lower socioeconomic status
- Foreign immigrants
TB Labs & Diagnostics
-NAA test - secretions
-Sputum culture
-BCG vaccine & chest Xray - think about Yule
-Tuberculin (Mantoux) test - skin test
-Blood analysis - QuantiFERON-TB Gold (what I had for the program)
Most accurate and rapid (<2 hrs) TB test; tests secretions
NAA test
PPD given intradermally in forearm.
Site is read after 48 hours, but after 72 hours is best. Only area of raised swelling is measured, not redness.
Site greater than or equal to 10mm diameter = positive for exposure or latent TB
Immunocompromised pts its 5mm *
Tuberculin (Mantoux) test
Vaccine given to children overseas. PPD will be positive; requires blood analysis or chest X-ray.
BCG vaccine
Confirms diagnosis; can take up 4 weeks for valid results
Sputum culture
Nursing Care for TB pts
-Promote airway clearance by increasing fluids, using incentive spirometer, TCBD
-Decrease drug resistance and infection spread
-Airborne precautions in hospital
-No airborne precautions at home; but family should be tested
-Drug compliance is very important
-Improve nutrition
-Manage fatigue and anxiety
Symptom screening - at this time, do you have any of these symptoms?
- Coughing for more than 2-3 weeks?
- Coughing up blood?
- Weight loss of more than 10 pounds for no known reason?
- Fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit for over 2 weeks?
- Unusual of heavy sweating at night?
- Unusual weakness or extreme fatigue?
Standard screening questions for TB
Self management education for TB
No longer contagious after 2-3 weeks of strict adherence to drug regimen & clinical improvement is seen. However, must continue w/ the prescribed drugs for 6 months or longer as prescribed.
