skip to main content

Residual Lymph Node Post-TB — SCE Infectious Diseases MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardTuberculosisResidual Lymph Node Post-TBSCE Infectious Diseases

After a complete drug-susceptible TB course, a patient is well but retains a small stable cervical node with normal inflammatory markers. What is the best response?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Observe with planned clinical follow-up rather than extending treatment primarily for residual lymph-node tissue with review after review

The best answer is “Observe with planned clinical follow-up rather than extending treatment primarily for residual lymph-node tissue with review after review”. Residual nodes can reflect fibrosis or paradoxical inflammatory change; treatment failure requires clinical, microbiological or progressive evidence, not persistence alone. “Extend every lymph-node TB course to 12 months” is less appropriate because it conflicts with the clinical discriminator or cited guidance. “Biopsy immediately without assessing trend or symptoms” is less appropriate because it conflicts with the clinical discriminator or cited guidance. “Switch to multidrug-resistant-TB treatment” is less appropriate because it conflicts with the clinical discriminator or cited guidance. “Excise every residual node” is less appropriate because it conflicts with the clinical discriminator or cited guidance.

Reference: NICE NG33 tuberculosis recommendations: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng33/chapter/Recommendations