A nurse is admitting a client who has active tuberculosis to a room on a medical-surgical unit. Which of the following room assignments should the nurse make for the client?

A. The laboratory values are the same as the previous test values: This is unlikely in DIC. In an acute episode of DIC, there is usually a significant disturbance in coagulation values due to the consumption of clotting factors and the development of clotting abnormalities.

B. The laboratory values are within the expected reference range: In DIC, the coagulation values are usually not within the expected reference range. Instead, they are prolonged, reflecting the imbalance in the coagulation system.

C. The laboratory values are prolonged: This is the correct answer. In DIC, the PT, aPTT, and INR are prolonged because the coagulation factors are being consumed in the process of widespread clot formation.

D. The laboratory values are decreased: This is not typical for DIC. In DIC, the issue is not a decrease in clotting factors but rather their consumption, leading to an overall imbalance in the coagulation system.

A. A room that is within view of the nurses' station: While visibility to the nurses' station is advantageous for monitoring the client, it is not the most critical consideration for a client with active tuberculosis. The priority is to prevent the spread of infectious droplets to other clients and healthcare workers.

B. A room in the ICU: Placing a client with active tuberculosis in the ICU may not be necessary unless there are specific medical reasons requiring intensive care. However, the room assignment should prioritize infection control measures.

C. A room with another nonsurgical client: It is not advisable to place a client with active tuberculosis in a room with another nonsurgical client due to the risk of spreading the infection to a potentially vulnerable individual.

D. A room with air exhaust directly to the outdoor environment: This is the correct answer. The preferred room assignment for a client with active tuberculosis is one with proper ventilation that allows air to be exhausted directly to the outdoor environment. Negative pressure rooms with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration are often used to minimize the risk of airborne transmission.