A home health nurse is reinforcing teaching about home safety with an older adult client who lives alone. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?

A. Wearing a mask by family members is not typically necessary at home once the client is on effective treatment for tuberculosis and the infectious period has passed. The client should avoid public places and limit contact with vulnerable individuals, but family members do not need to wear masks at home after the initial treatment phase.

B. Long-term medication is required for tuberculosis, but not for the rest of the client’s life. Treatment usually lasts for 6-9 months, not a lifetime. Adherence to the medication regimen is crucial to prevent relapse or resistance.

C. Throwing away used tissues in a closed plastic bag is correct. This is a key infection control measure to prevent the spread of tuberculosis through respiratory droplets. Used tissues should be discarded in a closed, lined container, and the client should practice good hygiene.

D. No longer infectious after 30 days of treatment is incorrect. A client with tuberculosis may remain infectious until they have completed several weeks of treatment and show improvement. Typically, a negative sputum culture is used to confirm the client is no longer infectious.

A. To stay with the client's body for 8 hr following their death: While it is common for family members to stay with the deceased, the duration of time can vary and is not specifically aligned with Hindu customs.

B. To cremate the client's body: In Hinduism, cremation is the most common practice following death. The family is likely to request this as it aligns with religious beliefs and traditions.

C. To prohibit medical personnel from touching the client's body: In Hinduism, there is no blanket prohibition against medical personnel touching the body. However, some families may have specific requests for the handling of the body, but this is not universally expected.

D. To bury the client's body within 24 hr of their death: Hindus typically prefer cremation rather than burial. While burial is practiced in certain Hindu traditions, cremation is far more common, and the request for burial within 24 hours may not apply.