Nursing care for patients with extensive drug resistant tuberculosis in Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute: a Case study

Abstract

This is a case study on the nursing care of a patient with extensive drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Thailand, with the aim to provide nursing personnel with guidelines for caring patients with severe multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and to enhance the knowledge and understanding of patients and their caregivers regarding self-care practices. The Gordon Health Model Assessment was applied to assess the patient's symptoms; and the Nutrition Alert Form and the End-of-Life Planning Assessment were also used. The findings of this study had resulted in the following nursing care interventions for patients with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis: (1) controlling the spread of tuberculosis, (2) investigating the disease or tracing household contacts, (3) providing intensive and quality drug administration, (4) monitoring and evaluating the side effects of drugs administered to the patients, (5) managing nutritional status, (6) implementing palliative care, and (7) providing economic and support. Treating the  extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis requires long-term care and relies on the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team. In addition, efforts should be made to ensure patients’ self-discipline in consistently adhering to the treatment.