What is the nurse's most important intervention for a client suspected of having active tuberculosis?

Maintaining the client on respiratory isolation is the most important intervention for a client suspected of having active tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious infection that spreads through airborne particles when a person with active TB coughs or sneezes. By placing the client in respiratory isolation, the nurse helps prevent the spread of the infection to others in the healthcare setting.

This intervention is crucial not only for the safety of other patients and healthcare workers but also for effectively managing the client's care. Respiratory isolation typically involves placing the client in a private room with proper ventilation, using masks or respirators for healthcare providers when interacting with the patient, and ensuring that the client wears a mask when leaving the room for any reason.

While bed rest, administering a tuberculin test, and administering isoniazid are also relevant in the management of tuberculosis, they do not directly address the immediate need to stop the transmission of the disease, which is a critical priority in public health and infection control.