Question

A 27-year-old Inuk man presents to a nursing station in Nunavut with 3 months of cough, night sweats and 4 kg weight loss. Several relatives have recently been treated for pulmonary tuberculosis. Chest radiograph shows right upper lobe infiltrates. Sputum microscopy is pending. Which action best reflects an appropriate initial approach that integrates Canadian TB epidemiology and culturally safe care?

Accepted Answer

Arrange sputum for acid-fast bacilli, initiate airborne precautions and discuss investigation and treatment options with him and, with his consent, community health workers

Answer

Reassure him that tuberculosis is rare in Canada and treat empirically for bacterial pneumonia

Answer

Wait for culture results before taking any infection control measures

Answer

Start broad-spectrum oral antibiotics and review in 4 weeks

Answer

Advise him to minimise contact with family but delay further investigation until he can travel south

Practice question