Infection Control · patient case question
The patient comes for a prophylaxis. What do you do?
Patient case: Patient with active tuberculosis
Scenario: A patient with ACTIVE TUBERCULOSIS.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Reschedule until the patient is no longer infectious
- A. An N95 alone is inadequate for a routine dental operatory, which lacks the negative-pressure airborne infection isolation required.
- B. Refusing care permanently would be discriminatory; care is postponed, not denied.
- C. Correct. ELECTIVE dental treatment is DEFERRED for a patient with ACTIVE, infectious tuberculosis. The patient is rescheduled after the treating physician confirms they are no longer infectious — typically after adequate therapy with clinical improvement and three consecutive negative sputum smears.
- D. Standard precautions are insufficient. TB is transmitted by AIRBORNE droplet nuclei that remain suspended for hours, and dental procedures generate aerosols.
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