A patient with suspected tuberculosis (TB) has a positive acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear
A patient with suspected tuberculosis (TB) has a positive acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear. What is the next step?
A. Start anti-TB treatment immediately
B. Perform chest X-ray
C. Order TB PCR test
D. Isolate the patient in a negative-pressure room
Answer: D
Explanation: Airborne isolation (negative-pressure room) is the priority for AFB-positive patients to prevent TB transmission before confirmatory testing.
