What precaution should a nurse take for a client diagnosed with tuberculosis?

For a client diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB), the appropriate precaution to take is airborne precautions. This is essential because TB is primarily transmitted through the inhalation of airborne droplet nuclei that can remain suspended in the air for extended periods. When a person with active TB coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings, they release tiny droplets that can be inhaled by others, potentially leading to the spread of the disease.

Implementing airborne precautions requires specific measures such as placing the client in a negative pressure room, which helps to prevent the airborne particles from escaping into other areas. Healthcare workers should also wear N95 respirators or higher-level masks to protect themselves from inhaling these infectious droplets when caring for the client. This level of precaution is crucial because regular face masks do not provide sufficient protection against airborne diseases.

While contact, droplet, and standard precautions are important preventive measures in various contexts, they do not specifically address the airborne nature of tuberculosis transmission, making airborne precautions the correct choice for managing this disease effectively.