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TB General info
- Highly communicable
- Airborne droplets (precautions!)
- Droplets are airborne for minutes – hours
- M. tuberculosis nuclei lodge in alveoli
- Slow replication
- Spread via lymphatic system
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SnSs of TB
- Progressive fatigue & lethargy
- Nausea, anorexia, weight loss
- Low-grade fever
- Night sweats (good indicator)
- Cough w/mucoid, frothy sputum, can be blood-tinged
- FLS (flu-like symptoms)
- Pleuritic chest pain
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TB Diagnostic tests
- TB Skin Test
- CXR (Current standard, but not always definitive)
- Bacteriologic studies to determine presence of tubercle bacilli
- Quantepheron test
- Sputum culture: acid-fast bacillus=positive. Has to be taken from deep lungs. (Italics=most definitive tests).
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Collaborative therapy for pt/TB
- Oral meds – daily
- --isoniazid (INH)
- --rifampin
- --pyrazinamide
- --ethambutol
- Caution: INH – ETOH may increase hepatotoxicity. Pt should avoid alcohol during tx.
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Collaborative care for pt w/TB
(more)
- After 2-4 weeks, disease is not considered infectious
- Meds for 6-9 months
- bacille Calmette- Guerin (BCG). European vaccine for TB. Will show positive on PPD.
- --Live, attenuated M. bovis
- --Used in many countries
- --Efficacy ?
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nursing intervensions for pt w/TB
- Assessment
- Interventions
- --Drug Therapy
- --Symptomatic treatment
- --Airborne precautions, ie negative airflow
- --Nutrition
- --Education
- --Follow-up care, Finish meds!
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