What is the primary protocol for isolating a client with active tuberculosis?

The primary protocol for isolating a client with active tuberculosis is to place them in a negative pressure room. This isolation method is crucial because tuberculosis is an airborne infectious disease, meaning that the bacteria can spread through tiny particles that are released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

A negative pressure room helps to prevent the spread of these infectious particles to other areas of the healthcare facility. The room is designed to maintain a lower air pressure than the surrounding areas, ensuring that air flows into the room but not out of it. This containment is essential to protect other patients, staff, and visitors from exposure to the tuberculosis bacteria.

Other options, such as placing the client in a standard room or a shared room, do not provide the necessary isolation to protect others. Natural ventilation alone is also insufficient for controlling the spread of tuberculosis because it may still allow infectious particles to escape into the environment. Thus, negative pressure isolation is the gold standard for managing clients with active tuberculosis, ensuring their safety and the safety of those around them.