A patient has pulmonary edema. For what condition should the healthcare professional assess the patient as the priority?

A. Actually, people who have the latent form of the disease won't be sick and can't spread it either: This response is accurate because individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) do not exhibit symptoms and are not infectious. They carry the bacteria in their body, but it remains dormant and does not spread to others. Only those with active tuberculosis disease are capable of transmitting the infection through respiratory droplets.

B. Many people do manage to fight off the infection, but you are right: they can still spread it by coughing or sneezing: This statement is misleading because it implies that individuals with LTBI can spread the disease, which is not the case. Only those with active TB are contagious.

C. There isn't any real risk of them spreading it, but we would like to vaccinate everyone who's had any contact with it in the past: This response downplays the importance of understanding the difference between latent and active TB and could create confusion. Vaccination for tuberculosis (BCG vaccine) is not routinely given in the United States, and exposure alone does not necessitate vaccination.

D. If someone has been previously exposed to tuberculosis, they are particularly infectious because they are often unaware of the disease: This statement is incorrect, as individuals who have been exposed but have LTBI are not infectious. It is only those with active TB who pose a risk of spreading the infection.

A. Bradycardia: Bradycardia, which is a slower than normal heart rate, is not a typical clinical manifestation of pleural effusion with empyema. In fact, fever and infection usually lead to tachycardia (an increased heart rate) as the body attempts to respond to infection.

B. Pleural pain: Pleural pain is a common symptom associated with pleural effusion and empyema, resulting from irritation of the pleura due to inflammation or infection.

C. Cough: A cough can occur with pleural effusion and empyema, often as a response to irritation or pressure in the thoracic cavity. It may also be associated with underlying lung conditions contributing to the effusion.

D. Fever: Fever is a typical clinical manifestation of empyema, indicating an infectious process. The presence of infection in the pleural space often results in systemic signs of infection, such as fever.