Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 86%
Simulated
The nurse is admitting a client with possible tuberculosis (TB). The client is placed in a private room with airborne precautions pending diagnostic test results. Which diagnostic test should the nurse review to confirm the diagnosis of TB?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
A sputum culture positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the gold standard for confirming TB diagnosis, as it directly identifies the causative bacterium, unlike other tests which may suggest but not confirm TB.