Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Exam

What should the nurse communicate to a patient refusing tuberculosis medication?

1. You have a legal right to refuse to take this medication.

2. You need to sign a Refusal of Treatment Form.

3. You need to ask your doctor about the possibility of discontinuing the medication.

4. You should know that the health department can require you to take the medication.

The correct answer is: You should know that the health department can require you to take the medication.

The statement highlighting that the health department can require the patient to take the medication appropriately emphasizes the public health aspect of tuberculosis management. Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious disease, and because of its potential to spread within communities, public health laws often give health departments the authority to intervene in situations where patients refuse treatment. This is particularly important in preventing outbreaks, safeguarding vulnerable populations, and ensuring that individuals with TB receive the necessary care to promote their recovery and reduce the risk of transmission. In this context, patients should be aware of their rights, but also understand the implications of refusing treatment for a communicable disease. While it is important to respect a patient's autonomy in making healthcare decisions, in the case of TB, there are additional public health considerations at play, which justify the health department's involvement. This communication helps to educate the patient about the seriousness of their condition and the potential consequences of non-compliance. The other options, while they may hold some relevance in different contexts of patient care or legal rights, do not adequately address the specific implications of refusing treatment for a highly contagious disease. They tend to focus more on procedural elements or suggest passive approaches rather than emphasizing the critical nature of adherence to the prescribed treatment in the context of public health and individual responsibility