Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Practice Test

What is an accurate statement regarding tuberculosis​ (TB)?

1. A TB skin test can detect exposure.

2. It can be cured by any antibiotic.

3. TB is not spread through surface contamination.

4. The TB pathogen only affects lung tissue.

The correct answer is: A TB skin test can detect exposure.

An accurate statement regarding tuberculosis is that a TB skin test can detect exposure. The TB skin test, also known as the Mantoux test, is a method to determine if someone has developed an immune response to the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. When a person is exposed to TB, their immune system responds to the bacteria, and this response can be measured through the skin test. A small amount of tuberculin is injected under the skin, and the reaction is measured after 48 to 72 hours, indicating whether there has been exposure to the TB bacterium. This method is essential in screening for latent TB infection, which does not show symptoms but can reactivate in the future. It’s important to note that while the skin test is a reliable indicator of exposure, it does not confirm an active infection; further testing, such as chest X-rays and sputum tests, is necessary for that. Other statements regarding tuberculosis are less accurate. For instance, TB cannot be cured by just any antibiotic because it requires specific antimicrobial therapy, typically involving a combination of antitubercular medications over an extended period. Furthermore, while TB is primarily an airborne disease transmitted through respiratory droplets, it is not typically spread via surface contamination. Lastly, while TB most commonly