1- NCLEX practice questions: How the heck do I answer this? 

Remember, this is a priority question-- we can tell that by the "...should the nurse do NEXT." We should be thinking safety/ immediate need. The client has a positive PPD reading (yes, this checks for TB), the next action is to place a face mask on the client-- safety! Before you would do any other actions listed, you must put a mask on first. No doing so is a risk that can spread infection. Does that answer your question?

I think it's because you must always assume the worst, since the patient got positive PPD, whether or not has active TB, still the patient hasn't ruled out, therefore safety by wearing the mask is a way of preventing harm to others that has to be considered first.

Hello Kc Josh.... after the PPD check, the next in line would be a chest x-ray. Even if both of these are positive, you are not diagnosed with TB until the "definitive"; which is a SPUTUM culture that goes to the lab for gram stain examination and this can take some time for results. So therefore, they still would most likely prophylatcially start antibiotic therapy. Hope that helped.

Lilly Louijuste I do!