Pediatric tuberculosis — MCQs

A 34-year-old female medical professional who works for a non-governmental organization visits her primary care provider for a routine health check-up. She made a recent trip to Sub-Saharan Africa where she participated in a humanitarian medical project. Her medical history and physical examination are unremarkable. A chest radiograph and a tuberculin skin test (PPD) are ordered. The chest radiograph is performed at the side and the PPD reaction measures 12 mm after 72 hours. Which of the following mechanisms is involved in the skin test reaction?

A 13-month-old boy is referred to an immunologist with recurrent otitis media, bacterial sinus infections, and pneumonia, which began several months earlier. He is healthy now, but the recurrent nature of these infections are troubling to his parents and they are hoping to find a definitive cause. The boy was born at 39 weeks gestation via spontaneous vaginal delivery. He is up to date on all vaccines and is meeting all developmental milestones. The patient has five older siblings, but none of them had similar recurrent illnesses. Clinical pathology results suggest very low levels of serum immunoglobulin. As you discuss options for diagnosis with the patient’s family, which of the following tests should be performed next?

You are seeing a patient in clinic who recently started treatment for active tuberculosis. The patient is currently being treated with rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. The patient is not used to taking medicines and is very concerned about side effects. Specifically regarding the carbohydrate polymerization inhibiting medication, which of the following is a known side effect?

A 35-year-old man from Thailand presents with low-grade fever, chronic cough, and night sweats for 3 months. He describes the cough as productive and producing white sputum that is sometimes streaked with blood. He also says he has lost 10 lb in the last 3 months. Past medical history is unremarkable. The patient denies any smoking history, alcohol, or recreational drug use. The vital signs include blood pressure 115/75 mm Hg, heart rate 120/min, respiratory rate 20/min, and temperature 36.6℃ (97.8℉). On physical examination, the patient is ill-looking and thin with no pallor or jaundice. Cardiopulmonary auscultation reveals some fine crackles in the right upper lobe. A chest radiograph reveals a right upper lobe homogeneous density. Which of the following tests would be most helpful in making a definitive diagnosis of active infection in this patient?

A 7-month-old girl is brought to the pediatrician by her parents with a mild, persistent fever for the past week. The patient’s mother also states she is feeding poorly and has become somewhat lethargic. The patient was born at term and the delivery was uncomplicated. The child’s birth weight was 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) and at 6 months was 7.0 kg (15.4 lb). She is fully immunized. The patient’s father recently returned from a business trip to India with a mild cough and was diagnosed with tuberculosis. The patient’s mother tests negative for tuberculosis The patient’s temperature is 38.1℃ (100.5℉). Today, she weighs 7.0 kg (15.4 lb). Cardiopulmonary auscultation reveals diminished breath sounds in the upper lobes. A chest radiograph demonstrates hilar lymphadenopathy and infiltrates in the upper lobes. Gastric aspirates are positive for acid-fast bacilli, however, cultures are still pending. Father and daughter are both started on standard antitubercular therapy. Which of the following is the appropriate management for the patient’s mother?

A 55-year-old homeless man is presented to the emergency department by a group of volunteers after they found him coughing up blood during 1 of the beneficiary dinners they offer every week. His medical history is unknown as he recently immigrated from Bangladesh. He says that he has been coughing constantly for the past 3 months with occasional blood in his sputum. He also sweats a lot at nights and for the past 2 days, he has been thirsty with increased frequency of urination and feeling hungrier than usual. The respiratory rate is 30/min and the temperature is 38.6°C (101.5°F). He looks emaciated and has a fruity smell to his breath. The breath sounds are reduced over the apex of the right lung. The remainder of the physical exam is unremarkable. Biochemical tests are ordered, including a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (8.5%) and chest radiography reveals cavitations in the apical region of the right lung. Which of the following immune cells is most critical in orchestrating the formation and maintenance of the granulomatous structure that led to these cavitations?

A 12-year-old boy is brought in by his mother to the emergency department. He has had abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite since yesterday. At first, the mother believed it was just a "stomach flu," but she is growing concerned about his progressive decline. Vitals include: T 102.3 F, HR 110 bpm, BP 120/89 mmHg, RR 16, O2 Sat 100%. Abdominal exam is notable for pain over the right lower quadrant. What is the next best step in management in addition to IV hydration and analgesia?

A 16-year-old boy comes to the emergency department because of painful urination and urethral discharge for 3 days. He has multiple sexual partners and only occasionally uses condoms. His vital signs are within normal limits. The result of nucleic acid amplification testing for Neisseria gonorrhoeae is positive. The patient requests that his parents not be informed of the diagnosis. Which of the following initial actions by the physician is most appropriate?

A 3-year-old girl is brought to the emergency department by her parents with sudden onset shortness of breath. They tell the emergency physician that their daughter was lying on the bed watching television when she suddenly began gasping for air. They observed a bowl of peanuts lying next to her when they grabbed her up and brought her to the emergency department. Her respirations are 25/min, the pulse is 100/min and the blood pressure is 90/65 mm Hg. The physical findings as of now are apparently normal. She is started on oxygen and is sent in for a chest X-ray. Based on her history and physical exam findings, the cause of her current symptoms would be seen on the X-ray at which of the following sites?

A 10-year-old girl with a rash is brought to the clinic by her mother. The patient’s mother says that the onset of the rash occurred 2 days ago. The rash was itchy, red, and initially localized to the cheeks with circumoral pallor, and it gradually spread to the arms and trunk. The patient’s mother also says her daughter had been reporting a high fever of 39.4°C (102.9°F), headaches, myalgia, and flu-like symptoms about a week ago, which resolved in 2 days with acetaminophen. The patient has no significant past medical history. Her vital signs include: temperature 37.0°C (98.6°F), pulse 90/min, blood pressure 125/85 mm Hg, respiratory rate 20/min. Physical examination shows a symmetric erythematous maculopapular rash on both cheeks with circumoral pallor, which extends to the patient’s trunk, arms, and buttocks. The remainder of the exam is unremarkable. Laboratory findings are significant for a leukocyte count of 7,100/mm3 and platelet count of 325,000/mm3. Which of the following is the next best step in the management of this patient?