What are the required precautions for a patient with tuberculosis?

The required precautions for a patient with tuberculosis are airborne precautions in a negative air flow room. Tuberculosis is primarily spread through airborne particles that are expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This means that the infection can be transmitted via air, making it crucial to take specific measures to prevent the spread of the bacteria.

Using a negative air flow room helps contain the airborne pathogens within the designated area and ensures that the air does not circulate into other areas of the healthcare facility, thereby protecting other patients and staff. Healthcare providers entering the room should wear a fit-tested N95 respirator or a higher-level mask to minimize the risk of inhaling infectious particles.

Other types of precautions, such as contact or droplet precautions, are not sufficient for tuberculosis since the disease primarily spreads through the airborne route rather than direct contact with surfaces or through larger respiratory droplets. This reinforces the need for airborne precautions as the effective strategy to control the spread of tuberculosis.