A 5-year-old First Nations boy living in a remote northern community presents with chronic cough, weight loss, and night sweats. His uncle was recentl...

Question

A 5-year-old First Nations boy living in a remote northern community presents with chronic cough, weight loss, and night sweats. His uncle was recently treated for pulmonary tuberculosis. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial investigation to confirm active pulmonary TB in this child?

Accepted Answer

Chest X-ray and three sputum samples (or gastric aspirates) for acid-fast bacilli and culture

Answer

Tuberculin skin test alone

Answer

Interferon-gamma release assay alone

Answer

Empirical trial of antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia

Answer

CT chest only

ca-mccqe1 MCQ (SBA): Pulmonary tuberculosis in Indigenous child - diagnostic approach