Deck 18: Tuberculosis

Question 1

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is particularly damaging to the lungs because of the:

A) healing of a tubercle.
B) formation of micropulmonary emboli.
C) increased mucus production.
D) irreversible bronchospasm that it causes.

Answer 1

healing of a tubercle.

Question 2

A patient has been found to have tuberculosis (TB) in several organs of the body. What term is used to describe this situation?

A) Primary TB
B) Postprimary TB
C) Disseminated TB
D) Multiorgan TB

Answer 2

Disseminated TB

Question 3

A patient has postprimary TB. What are the major pathologic or structural changes associated with it?
1) Cavity formation
2) Laryngeal edema
3) Dilated and distorted bronchi
4) Fibrosis of lung parenchyma

A) 2, 3
B) 3, 4
C) 1, 2, 3
D) 1, 3, 4

Answer 3

1, 3, 4

Question 4

A patient who has an uncontrolled tuberculosis infection will show all of the following signs EXCEPT:

A) weight loss.
B) high fever.
C) bloody sputum.
D) night sweats.

Question 5

A respiratory therapist has a positive TB skin test after having contact with a patient with active TB. Which of the following actions would MOST likely be taken regarding the positive skin test?

A) The therapist will be started on a 1-year course of isoniazid prophylactically.
B) The test will be followed with monthly chest x-rays to detect changes in the lung parenchyma.
C) The therapist will be on paid administrative leave for 3 months until it is ensured that she is noncontagious.
D) The therapist will be required to wear a mask at work for 3 months until it is established that she is noncontagious.

Question 6

The preferred stain that is used to identify the TB organism is called:

A) Gram stain.
B) fluorescent acid-fast stain.
C) Ziehl-Neelsen.
D) gentian violet.

Question 7

The respiratory therapist is educating a patient just diagnosed with tuberculosis. Which of the following statements should the therapist tell the patient regarding tuberculosis?

A) Take the medication with a glass of water 1/2 hour before meals.
B) If you skip a dose of medication, double up at the next dose.
C) Don't take the medication if you have a fever or flulike symptoms.
D) Make sure to take the full prescribed course of therapy.

Question 8

A patient with an advanced case of TB may have which of the following radiologic findings?
1) Bronchial tumors
2) Hyperlucent lung fields
3) Retraction of lung segments
4) Right-sided heart enlargement

A) 2
B) 2, 3
C) 3, 4
D) 1, 3, 4

Question 9

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is most readily transmitted through:

A) drinking milk from or the milking of infected cows.
B) shaking hands and then rubbing your eye.
C) coughing.
D) accidental direct inoculation.

Question 10

What medication is used to treat a person who has converted to a positive TB skin test but does not have active disease?

A) Virazole
B) Isoniazid
C) Rifampin
D) Tetracycline

Question 11

Nontuberculous mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium kansasii are associated with which one of the following diseases?

A) COPD
B) Bronchiectasis
C) Status asthmaticus
D) Cystic fibrosis

Question 12

Risk factors predisposing a person to TB include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) having HIV/AIDS.
B) being immunosuppressed.
C) African American or Hispanic heritage.
D) malnutrition.

Question 13

Pulmonary function testing results on a patient with an advanced case of TB will display all of the following EXCEPT:

A) increased RV.
B) decreased IRV.
C) decreased VC.
D) decreased TLC.

Question 14

A negative tuberculin test would be demonstrated by an induration (wheal) of what size?

A) 4 mm or less
B) 6 mm or less
C) 8 mm or greater
D) 10 mm or greater

Question 15

A first-line agent used to treat a TB infection is:

A) gentamycin.
B) penicillin.
C) streptomycin.
D) isoniazid.

Question 16

Which of the following clinical manifestations are associated with TB?
1) Dull percussion note
2) Bronchospasm
3) Hyperresonant percussion note
4) Crackles

A) 1, 4
B) 2, 3
C) 1, 2
D) 2, 3, 4

Question 17

When a person has TB spread throughout the body, it is found in all of the following EXCEPT:

A) upper lobes.
B) kidneys.
C) brain.
D) lower lobes.

Question 18

In which of the following ways is tuberculosis generally NOT spread?

A) Inhaling droplets of aerosol from an infected person
B) Drinking unpasteurized milk from cattle infected with the pathogen
C) Laceration with contact of infected secretions during postmortem autopsy
D) Sharing utensils and glassware with an infected person