Med-Surg: Chapter 24: Tuberculosis Flashcards
What is Tuberculosis (TB)
life-threatening respiratory infection caused by the organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- can affect any body system if not treated promptly
- highly contagious
Who is at risk?
- populations living outside the U.S.
- low socioeconomic groups
- homeless
- incarcerated populations
- persons infected with HIV or who have AIDS
How is TB transmitted?
aerosolized droplets inhaled from the coughing or sneezing of an infected individual
- droplets of M. tuberculosis are tiny and can remain suspended in the air for several hours
- those whose sputum is infected with active TB are most likely to transmit the infection
- droplets dry quickly and can remain suspended in the air for hours
- if not isolated immediately, TB can spread
Tuberculosis Classifications
- Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI)
- Primary Tuberculosis Infection (PTBI)
- Primary Progressive TB Infection (PPRBI)
- Drug-resistant M. tuberculosis (MDR TB)
Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI)
- classic sign: calcified granuloma evident on chest x-
- the inactive bacilli remain dormant within the healed granuloma (bacteria lie dormant within calcified granuloma that can be see on chest x-ray)
- have no symptoms, usually asymptomatic
- not contagious
- as long as immune system remains intact, the bacilli remain in the healed tissue of the granuloma for the individuals lifetime and do not progress to TB infection
- disease reactivated if immune system becomes compromised; HIV infection, long-term diabetes, chronic renal disease, long-term steroid administration, sepsis, malnutrition
Primary Tuberculosis Infection (PTBI)
granuloma formation is initiated but is unable to progress to calcification leading to PTBI
- individuals with a weakened immune response are unable to control the multiplication of Mycobacterium
- asymptomatic
- confirmed by positive sputum cultures and positive skin test
- not infectious
Primary Progressive TB Infection (PPTBI)
aka symptomatic TB infection
- nonspecific symptoms: fatigue, weight loss, and night sweats
- cough with rusty-colored or blood streaked sputum
- as disease progresses, dyspnea, orthopnea (SOB when lying flat), and rales evident
Drug-resistant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MDR TB)
can be mono-drug or poly-drug resistant (one or more of the first-line medications used for treatment of TB are not effective)
- caused by primary or secondary means
- Primary resistance: caused by person-to-person transmission
- Secondary (acquired): develops during treatment and results from an ineffective treatment regimen or incomplete treatment regimen
How is Diagnosing Done?
- laboratory testing
- skin test
- chest x-ray
Diagnosing: Laboratory Testing
-Sputum test for culture and acid-fast staining
Diagnosing: Chest x-ray
suspicious cavitating lesions (resulting from pathologic processes leading to necrosis and formation of a “gas-filled” space within the lung tissue) are seen on chest x-rays
Diagnosing: Skin Test
Mantoux Test
- positive purified protein derivative (PPD)
- standard method
- injection of 01. mL of PPD intradermally into forearm; within 48 to 72 hours after injection, administration site should be observed for a reaction
Goals of Treatment of TB
- cure the patient
- minimize the transmission of M. tuberculosis to other persons
Treatment: Medications
four-drug combination: Antibiotics -isoniazid (INH) -rifampin (RIF) -ethambutol (EMB) -pyrazinamide (PZA) >treatment should continue for 9 to 12 months
The person with TB should be placed on what, when admitted to the hospital?
airborne isolation precautions
-immediate isolation of the patient with suspected or confirmed TB infection in a private room with negative airflow capabilities is a priority