Final answer:
Healthcare workers must use respiratory masks, isolate the patient, practice stringent hygiene, wear personal protective equipment, and follow proper waste disposal and decontamination practices to prevent TB spread. TB screenings and multidrug treatments are also essential.
Step-by-step explanation:
Protective Measures for Caring for a TB Patient
When providing care for a patient with tuberculosis (TB), healthcare providers must implement a variety of protective measures to prevent the spread of the disease. TB is highly contagious and can be spread through airborne transmission when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spits. To ensure safety, healthcare workers are advised to follow strict protocols which include:
Wearing respiratory masks to prevent inhalation of infectious aerosols.
Isolating the TB patient in a separate room with negative air pressure to contain the airborne particles.
Practicing stringent hand hygiene and careful disinfection of any surfaces or equipment that might be contaminated.
Using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as protective gowns, gloves, and face shields to prevent direct contact with infectious materials.
Properly disposing of or decontaminating any waste or instruments associated with patient care to prevent environmental contamination.
Additionally, healthcare workers need to ensure that they are up-to-date with their TB screenings, such as the Mantoux tuberculin skin test, and follow proper multidrug treatment protocols to combat strains like MDR-TB and XDR-TB.