Free BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Question

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?

  • Place the patient in airborne precautions immediately

  • Schedule an aggressive workup including a chest X-ray and sputum analysis without isolation precautions

  • Start broad-spectrum antibiotics while awaiting further tests

  • Provide symptomatic treatment for cough and fever

This question's topic:
BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) / 
Environment and Toxicology Emergencies, and Communicable Diseases
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