After 2 months of tuberculosis (TB) treatment with a standard four-drug regimen, a client continues to have positive sputum smears for acid-fast bacilli (AFB). Which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
A)Ask the client whether medications have been taken as directed.
B)Discuss the need to use some different medications to treat the TB.
C)Schedule the client for directly observed therapy three times weekly.
D)Educate about using a 2-drug regimen for the last 4 months of treatment.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first action should be to determine whether the client has been compliant with drug therapy because negative sputum smears would be expected if the TB bacillus is susceptible to the medications and if the medications have been taken correctly.
Depending on whether the client has been compliant or not, different medications or directly observed therapy may be indicated. A two-drug regimen will be used only if the sputum smears are negative for AFB.

After 2 Months of Tuberculosis (TB) Treatment with a Standard