A 26-year-old man presents with a 6-week history of productive cough, weight loss and night sweats. He is a recent immigrant from a high TB prevalence...

Question

A 26-year-old man presents with a 6-week history of productive cough, weight loss and night sweats. He is a recent immigrant from a high TB prevalence country. Chest X-ray shows right upper lobe cavitation. You suspect pulmonary tuberculosis. What is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Notify public health and arrange sputum samples for acid-fast bacilli microscopy and culture

Answer

Start broad-spectrum antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia

Answer

Arrange an urgent CT pulmonary angiogram

Answer

Discharge with oral steroids to reduce inflammation

Answer

Reassure and review in 3 months

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Pulmonary tuberculosis

A 26-year-old man presents with a 6-week history of productive cough, weight loss and night sweats. He is a recent immigrant from a high TB prevalence country. Chest X-ray shows right upper lobe cavitation. You suspect pulmonary tuberculosis. What is the most appropriate next step?