A nurse is preparing a client for a colonoscopy. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Choice A reason: Collecting sputum specimens for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) testing over three consecutive mornings is critical for diagnosing active tuberculosis. AFB smear and culture detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum, confirming pulmonary TB. Morning samples yield higher bacterial loads, improving diagnostic sensitivity, as the bacteria accumulate overnight in the respiratory tract.

Choice B reason: Monitoring vital signs every shift is important for assessing patient stability but does not directly aid in diagnosing active tuberculosis. Fever or tachycardia may suggest infection, but these are non-specific and not confirmatory. Diagnostic tests like AFB, imaging, or serology are needed to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis as the cause of symptoms.

Choice C reason: Ordering a complete blood count, basic metabolic panel, HIV viral load, and VDRL supports TB diagnosis. CBC may show anemia or leukocytosis, BMP assesses organ function, HIV testing identifies immunosuppression increasing TB risk, and VDRL rules out syphilis, which can mimic TB symptoms. These provide a comprehensive diagnostic workup.

Choice D reason: A chest X-ray is essential for diagnosing active pulmonary tuberculosis. It reveals characteristic findings like cavitary lesions, infiltrates, or hilar lymphadenopathy in the lungs. These radiographic signs, combined with clinical symptoms and AFB testing, confirm the presence of active TB, particularly in patients with cough and weight loss.

Choice E reason: Admitting the patient to a negative pressure room is crucial for diagnosing and managing suspected active TB. It prevents airborne transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to others, ensuring safety while diagnostic tests like AFB and chest X-ray are conducted. This isolation is standard for suspected infectious TB cases.

Choice A reason: Administering insulin infusion is the priority in DKA to correct hyperglycemia and halt ketogenesis. Insulin lowers blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake and inhibits lipolysis, reducing ketone production. This addresses the underlying metabolic derangement, preventing further acidosis and stabilizing the patient’s condition rapidly, critical for life-threatening DKA.

Choice B reason: Providing oral glucose is contraindicated in DKA, as the client already has severe hyperglycemia. Adding glucose would worsen the condition, increasing osmotic diuresis and acidosis. The focus is on lowering blood sugar with insulin and fluids, not adding more glucose, which could exacerbate dehydration and metabolic imbalance.

Choice C reason: Sodium bicarbonate may be used in severe DKA with profound acidosis (pH < 7.0), but it is not the priority. Insulin and fluid resuscitation correct the underlying cause of acidosis by stopping ketone production and restoring perfusion. Bicarbonate is an adjunct and may cause complications like hypokalemia if used prematurely.

Choice D reason: Deep breathing exercises do not address the metabolic cause of DKA. While compensatory hyperventilation (Kussmaul respirations) occurs to correct acidosis, encouraging breathing exercises does not treat hyperglycemia or ketosis. Insulin and fluids are critical to reverse the underlying pathology, making breathing exercises a low-priority intervention in this acute condition.