tuberculosis Flashcards
tuberculosis
reportable, communicable, inflammatory, destructive disease
spread from person to person via inhalation of infected droplet nuclei
most common site: pulmonary
TB risk factors
homelessness, malnutrition, overcrowded areas, healthcare workers, immune dysfunction, alcoholism, children under three, elderly, certain geographic areas, men double the rate of women
causative TB organism
mycobacterium TB or tubercle bacilli
aerobic, acid fast, reproduced slowly in the body
destroyed by heat,sun, pasteurization
TB spread routes
airborne (inhalation of infected droplet nuclei via coughing, sneezing, laughing)
requires close and prolonged contact
TB sensitization
first time individual is infected= sensitivity reation occurs 2-10 weeks after primary infection
positive reaction to tuberculin skin tests
TB infected individuals
residual remains dormant in lungs
asymptomatic
partial destruction of most organisms can occur
may reactivate later when resistance is decreased
can be triggered by mental and physical stress, oncology, inadequate drug treatment
TB skin test
people with HIV may get a false negative, contraindicated in BCG vaccine recipients
reliable
appearance of a “wheal”
induration area read within 48-72 hours
10mm or more is a positive reaction
TB converters
an individual who develops a positive skin test, negative test converted to positive reaction
at high risk for developing TB
placed on INH preventative therapy for 6-12 months
Quantiferon-TB gold test
preferred to those who has BCG results read within 24-36 hours negative means they do not have latent or active TB
TB sputum culture
confirms diagnosis
three specimens on consecutive days
negative acid fast bacillus
if negative after they have been treated, this means they are no longer contagious
contagious until treated
TB patient room
isolated, negative pressure room until negative sputum culture
must wear a mask for 3 weeks
TB management
treatment for 6-12 months
primary resistance: one or more line of anti TB agents
secondary (acquired)= resistance to one or more anti TB agents and undergoing therapy
first line TB drugs
INH and rifampin (combined antibiotics)
pyrazinamide (pza, active TB)
ethambutol (myambutol)