When testing an outpatient with active tuberculosis, who should wear a mask?

In a scenario involving a patient with active tuberculosis, it is crucial to minimize the risk of transmission of the infectious disease. The correct response is that the patient should wear a mask. This is because the mask primarily serves to prevent respiratory droplets that may contain the tuberculosis bacteria from being released into the air.

The patient, who is infectious, can significantly reduce the risk of spreading the disease to others, including healthcare professionals and visitors, by wearing a mask during their interactions in the medical setting. This practice is consistent with infection control protocols aimed at protecting both healthcare providers and other patients in the environment.

While the technologist would also likely implement other safety precautions, such as wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, and the recording room and instruments may be subject to decontamination processes, the immediate responsibility for wearing a mask falls on the patient to mitigate the risk of airborne transmission.