A nurse is planning care for a client who is at 16 weeks of gestation and has hyperemesis gravidarum. Which of the following actions should the nurse anticipate taking?

Rationale for Correct Choices:

• N95 respirator. The client’s presentation of a cough, fatigue, night sweats, weight loss, and positive sputum culture for M. tuberculosis strongly suggests active tuberculosis (TB). Tuberculosis is transmitted through airborne particles, and an N95 respirator is required to protect healthcare workers from inhaling these particles. The N95 mask is specifically designed to filter out small particles, including the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria.
• Gloves. Gloves should be worn when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed TB to prevent contact transmission. While TB is primarily transmitted via airborne particles, gloves are still necessary to protect healthcare workers from coming into contact with bodily fluids such as sputum or any other potentially contaminated materials.

Rationale for Incorrect Options:

• Face shield. A face shield is not required as primary protection for TB. While face shields can protect against splashes and droplets, TB is primarily transmitted via airborne particles, for which an N95 respirator is more appropriate.
• Surgical mask. A surgical mask is not sufficient for protecting healthcare workers against tuberculosis because it does not filter out small airborne particles like the N95 respirator does. Surgical masks are primarily intended for droplet precautions, but tuberculosis is spread through airborne transmission, necessitating an N95 mask for adequate protection.

• Gown. A gown is not required in this situation unless the patient has other symptoms or conditions that increase the risk of contamination, such as excessive wound drainage or the potential for body fluid splashes. For TB transmission, the primary concern is airborne transmission, and appropriate PPE focuses on respiratory protection (N95) and gloves for contact precautions.

A. Administer granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. This medication stimulates neutrophil production in clients with severe neutropenia, such as those undergoing chemotherapy. While HIV can cause neutropenia, routine administration is not necessary unless the infant has recurrent infections and significantly low neutrophil counts.
B. Monitor the infant's lymphocyte count. CD4+ T-cell levels are key indicators of immune function in infants with HIV. Since HIV targets these cells, regular monitoring helps assess disease progression and the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy, guiding treatment adjustments when needed.
C. Educate the infant's guardians about exchange transfusions. Exchange transfusions are used for conditions like severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia or sickle cell disease, not HIV. Managing HIV in infants focuses on early antiretroviral therapy, routine lab monitoring, and infection prevention.
D. Initiate droplet precautions. Standard precautions, such as hand hygiene and appropriate use of personal protective equipment, are sufficient for infection control. HIV is not transmitted through respiratory droplets but through direct contact with infected blood, breast milk, or other bodily fluids.