South Carolina Long Term Health Care Administrator Practice Test

What is required to exclude TB disease for staff with a positive or newly positive test result for M. tuberculosis?

1. Chest radiograph

2. Venous blood test

3. Complete blood count

4. CT scan

The correct answer is: Chest radiograph

To exclude TB disease in staff members who have a positive or newly positive test result for M. tuberculosis, a chest radiograph is required. This imaging test helps to visualize the lungs and identify any abnormalities that may suggest the presence of active tuberculosis disease. The chest radiograph is a crucial step in differentiating between latent TB infection (LTBI) and active TB disease, as a positive skin test or blood test alone does not confirm the disease but rather indicates exposure to the bacteria. A chest radiograph is specifically focused on the thoracic cavity, making it the most appropriate test for this scenario. It is standard practice in TB control protocols to ensure that individuals with suspicious test results are evaluated using this imaging technique to establish whether they are harboring active disease, which may require prompt treatment and reporting. The other options do not provide the necessary assessment for TB disease exclusion. A venous blood test is not standard for this purpose, and while a complete blood count can provide general health information, it is not specific for TB detection. A CT scan, although more detailed than a chest radiograph, is typically reserved for complex cases where further evaluation is necessary rather than for initial screening or exclusion of tuberculosis disease.