A client has just been diagnosed with TB and is upset; what is an appropriate nurse response?

• A. You will have multidrug therapy for 6 to 24 months.
• B. You will take a single drug for 2 weeks.
• C. Therapy lasts only until symptoms improve.
• D. You will not need follow-up once therapy starts.

Answer: (A)

TB requires a sustained, multidrug approach to both cure the infection and prevent the bacteria from becoming drug-resistant. Because Mycobacterium tuberculosis grows slowly and can hide in body tissues, a combination of antibiotics is used for a long period, typically about 6 to 24 months depending on drug susceptibility and the site of infection. Explaining this to the patient helps them understand why the plan isn’t short or simple: stopping early or using a single drug can allow resistant bacteria to emerge, making treatment much harder and longer. The nurse’s response should acknowledge the patient’s feelings while conveying that they will be on a multi‑drug regimen for several months and will need ongoing follow-up and support to ensure adherence and to monitor for side effects. The other options aren’t appropriate because a single drug for 2 weeks is insufficient, therapy ending with symptom improvement is not reliable, and no follow-up ignores the need for ongoing monitoring and support.