A nurse working in the health department is reviewing the charts of four clients. Which of the following client conditions should the nurse identify as reportable to the CDC?

Rationale:
A. While healthcare personnel should have baseline tuberculosis (TB) screening, it is not the nurse’s responsibility to ensure staff undergo testing at the time of admitting a client. This is part of occupational health protocols.

B. Placing a sign on the door with the diagnosis is not appropriate because it violates client confidentiality. Instead, isolation precautions should be followed without publicly disclosing the diagnosis.

C. Informing household members directly about their need for treatment is outside the nurse’s scope of practice. Public health authorities handle contact tracing and notification to ensure confidentiality and proper follow-up.

D. Notifying the public health department is the correct action. TB is a reportable communicable disease, and public health authorities are responsible for monitoring, controlling the spread of infection, and coordinating contact investigation and treatment.

Rationale:
A. Grasping the cord when unplugging equipment is unsafe because it can damage the cord or plug and increase the risk of electric shock. Equipment should be unplugged by holding the plug itself.

B. Oxygen cylinders must be secured in an upright position to prevent them from falling over, which can cause injury or cylinder damage. This statement reflects correct understanding of safe equipment use.

C. Cleaning equipment while it is plugged in is unsafe and can result in electric shock. Equipment should always be unplugged before cleaning.

D. When using a fire extinguisher, the correct sequence is pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle, and sweep side to side (PASS). The newly licensed nurse’s statement reverses the correct order, indicating a misunderstanding.