A 34-year-old patient presents to the emergency department with a persistent cough, night sweats, and a recent weight loss. The patient mentions they have recently returned from a country with high incidence of tuberculosis. Given these symptoms and history, what is the most appropriate initial action by the nurse?
Provide symptomatic treatment for cough and fever
Start broad-spectrum antibiotics while awaiting further tests
Place the patient in airborne precautions immediately
Schedule an aggressive workup including a chest X-ray and sputum analysis without isolation precautions