Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) Practice Exam

What do the CDC guidelines for tuberculosis infection control primarily focus on?

1. Isolation of infected patients only

2. Widespread vaccination programs

3. Developing antibiotics for treatment

4. Preventing the spread of TB and effective patient management

The correct answer is: Preventing the spread of TB and effective patient management

The CDC guidelines for tuberculosis (TB) infection control emphasize preventing the spread of TB and ensuring effective patient management. This focus is crucial in controlling the transmission of TB, which is primarily spread through airborne particles when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The guidelines incorporate several strategies, including proper ventilation, the use of personal protective equipment, and isolation protocols for individuals diagnosed with active TB to reduce the risk of contagion. Moreover, effective patient management includes procedures for timely identification and treatment of TB cases, ensuring that patients receive appropriate care, and monitoring compliance with treatment regimens. By concentrating on these strategies, the CDC guidelines aim to create a comprehensive approach that not only addresses the immediate health needs of infected patients but also safeguards public health by curbing the potential spread of the disease within communities. Other options, like isolation of infected patients only, do not encapsulate the full spectrum of strategies needed for effective TB control, which also includes interventions for patient management and public health safeguarding, while vaccination and antibiotic development are relevant but secondary elements in the context of immediate infection control strategies.