DOTS is used in the treatment of:

Appeared in: OSSSC Nursing Officer-2023

Explanation

DOTS stands for Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course.
It is the internationally recommended strategy for Tuberculosis (TB) control to ensure a cure and prevent the emergence of drug resistance.
The core principle is that a healthcare worker or another designated person observes the patient swallowing every dose of their anti-TB medication.
This strategy is a cornerstone of India's National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Treatment strategy for Tuberculosis (DOTS) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
A nurse's primary role in DOTS is to ensure patient adherence by directly observing medication intake, which is critical for preventing multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB).
Nurses must educate patients on common side effects of anti-TB drugs (e.g., orange urine from Rifampicin, peripheral neuropathy from Isoniazid) and manage them, for instance, by co-administering Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) with Isoniazid.
What if?: If a patient on a DOTS regimen reports missing several doses, the nurse must not simply restart the medication. They must assess the duration of the interruption and consult with the medical officer, as the treatment plan may need to be adjusted or restarted to prevent treatment failure or resistance.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keyword in the question, which is 'DOTS'.
Recall or deduce the full form: 'Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course'. The term 'Directly Observed' is a major clue.
Think about which disease requires such a strict adherence protocol. This is usually for diseases with long treatment courses where non-compliance can lead to severe consequences like drug resistance.
Evaluate the options: Tuberculosis fits this description perfectly due to its 6-month (or longer) treatment regimen and the global problem of MDR-TB.
Rule out the other options by recalling their standard treatments: Leprosy (MDT), Malaria (ACT), and Filaria (MDA), none of which typically involve direct observation for every dose in the same way as DOTS.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 28-30

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) p. 106-108

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health Nursing for BSc Nursing Students Part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-275 of 550) p. 93-95

Practise the full OSSSC Nursing Officer-2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.