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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Diseases & Conditions

Can You Ace This Tuberculosis Quiz?

Ready to tackle tuberculosis test questions? Dive in and challenge your TB knowledge!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration showing tuberculosis quiz cards and bacteria shapes on dark-blue background

Ready to test your skills? Download the complete TB Quiz Questions & Answers PDF and dive into our engaging tuberculosis quiz designed to sharpen your understanding of TB disease. Ideal for healthcare students, nurses or anyone curious about public health, this free tb disease quiz reviews vital topics - from transmission modes to treatment strategies. Take our tb quiz online to measure your grasp, then explore focused tuberculosis test questions for extra practice. Looking for more? Challenge yourself further with our communicable and noncommunicable diseases quiz . Jump in now and see if you can ace every question!

What is the primary causative agent of tuberculosis?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Mycobacterium leprae
Staphylococcus aureus
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, first identified by Robert Koch. This organism is aerobic and acid-fast due to its mycolic acid-rich cell wall. It remains the predominant species responsible for human TB disease worldwide. CDC
Tuberculosis is most commonly transmitted by which route?
Inhalation of airborne droplet nuclei
Ingestion of contaminated food
Direct skin contact
Sexual contact
TB spreads when infected individuals expel droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis via coughing or sneezing. These tiny particles can remain airborne and be inhaled by others. Unlike bloodborne or sexual pathogens, TB’s transmission relies on respiratory aerosols. WHO
A person with latent TB infection typically has which of the following?
Positive skin test, no symptoms, normal chest X-ray
Positive skin test, productive cough, night sweats
Negative skin test, weight loss, fever
Positive sputum smear, fever, chest pain
Latent TB infection is characterized by immune response to M. tuberculosis without clinical signs or X-ray evidence of active disease. Patients do not transmit the bacteria and are asymptomatic. A positive PPD or IGRA indicates prior sensitization but active disease must be excluded. CDC
The standard initial treatment regimen for active TB includes all of the following EXCEPT:
Isoniazid
Pyrazinamide
Ciprofloxacin
Rifampin
The recommended first-line regimen for active TB uses isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. Fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin are reserved for drug-resistant cases or second-line therapy. Proper use of the four key drugs prevents resistance and improves outcomes. WHO
The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is derived from which organism?
Mycobacterium bovis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Escherichia coli
Streptococcus pyogenes
BCG vaccine is an attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis developed to protect against TB. It’s widely used in countries with high TB prevalence to prevent severe pediatric forms. The vaccine does not reliably prevent adult pulmonary TB. WHO
The tuberculin skin test (Mantoux) is read as the diameter of induration in which unit?
Millimeters
Centimeters
Inches
Micrometers
Mantoux test results are measured in millimeters of induration across the forearm 48–72 hours post-injection. Induration size thresholds vary based on risk factors. Erythema alone is not measured. Accurate technique ensures reliable interpretation. CDC
Which of the following is the hallmark symptom of pulmonary TB?
Chronic cough lasting more than two weeks
Sudden onset chest pain
Acute high fever
Acute hemoptysis on first presentation
A persistent cough over two weeks is the most common presenting feature of pulmonary TB. Other symptoms like fever or hemoptysis may appear later. Early identification of chronic cough prompts timely testing and reduces transmission. WHO
The hypersensitivity reaction type involved in the PPD skin test is:
Type IV delayed-type
Type I immediate
Type II cytotoxic
Type III immune complex
The PPD skin test elicits a T-cell–mediated delayed-type (Type IV) hypersensitivity reaction 48–72 hours after antigen injection. It reflects prior sensitization to TB antigens. Immediate or antibody-mediated reactions are not involved. NCBI
Mycolic acids in the cell wall of M. tuberculosis contribute to which characteristic?
Acid-fastness
Motility
Gram staining positive
Capsule formation
Mycolic acids are long-chain fatty acids that make the cell wall of M. tuberculosis waxy and hydrophobic. This property causes bacteria to resist decolorization by acid-alcohol, defining their acid-fast nature. They also contribute to pathogenicity and immune evasion. NCBI
Which diagnostic test measures interferon-gamma release from T cells in response to TB antigens?
QuantiFERON-TB Gold
PPD skin test
HIV ELISA
Acid-fast bacilli smear
The QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay is an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) using specific TB antigens in vitro. It reduces false positives from BCG vaccination and most non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Results are available within 24 hours. CDC
Granulomas in tuberculosis are characterized by which type of necrosis?
Caseating necrosis
Liquefactive necrosis
Coagulative necrosis
Fat necrosis
TB granulomas commonly exhibit caseating necrosis, where tissue appears cheese-like. This central necrosis is due to immune-mediated cell death. It differs from liquefactive necrosis seen in abscesses. Identifying caseation aids histopathologic diagnosis. NCBI
Multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) is defined as resistance to:
Isoniazid and Rifampin
Pyrazinamide and Ethambutol
Streptomycin and Ethambutol
Isoniazid only
MDR-TB is defined by resistance to both isoniazid and rifampin, the two most potent first-line drugs. This resistance necessitates use of second-line agents. Prompt detection through susceptibility testing improves treatment success. WHO
Pott disease refers to tuberculosis infection of the:
Spine
Liver
Kidneys
Lungs
Pott disease is TB of the vertebral bodies often leading to spinal deformity and neurologic deficits. Mycobacteria reach the spine hematogenously from a primary pulmonary focus. Early recognition prevents severe complications. NCBI
Scrofula is the term for TB affecting which area?
Cervical lymph nodes
Pleural space
Brain
Intestines
Scrofula refers to tuberculous infection of the cervical lymph nodes, often presenting as painless neck swelling. It’s more common in children and immunocompromised adults. Fine-needle aspiration aids diagnosis. NCBI
HIV infection increases the risk of TB primarily by reducing:
CD4+ T lymphocytes
CD8+ T lymphocytes
B lymphocytes
Neutrophils
CD4+ T cells are essential for forming granulomas and controlling latent TB. HIV targets these cells, compromising cell-mediated immunity. This leads to reactivation of latent infection and increased susceptibility to new exposures. WHO
The Ghon complex consists of:
Primary pulmonary lesion and involved lymph nodes
Cavitary lesion and pleura
Miliary nodules throughout the lung
Pleural effusion with caseation
A Ghon complex is comprised of the initial parenchymal lesion in the lung and the associated draining hilar lymph nodes. It’s a hallmark of primary TB infection. Over time it can calcify, forming a Ranke complex. NCBI
Rifampin’s mechanism of action involves inhibition of:
DNA-dependent RNA polymerase
Cell wall synthesis
Protein synthesis at the 30S ribosomal subunit
Folate metabolism
Rifampin binds the ?-subunit of bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, blocking transcription initiation. This action is effective against both active and dormant mycobacteria. Resistance arises via rpoB gene mutations. NCBI
Which first-line anti-TB drug is most associated with hyperuricemia and gout?
Pyrazinamide
Ethambutol
Isoniazid
Rifampin
Pyrazinamide disrupts mycobacterial membrane metabolism and transport, but it also impairs renal uric acid excretion. This leads to elevated serum urate levels and potential gout flares. Monitoring uric acid is recommended during therapy. NCBI
Which method is commonly used to determine M. tuberculosis drug susceptibility?
Culture-based drug susceptibility testing
ELISA for mycobacterial antigens
PCR amplification of 16S rRNA
Gram stain morphology assessment
Culture-based DST involves growing M. tuberculosis in the presence of anti-TB drugs to assess growth inhibition. It remains the gold standard despite slow turnaround. Molecular tests complement DST by detecting resistance genes faster. WHO
Miliary tuberculosis on chest radiograph typically shows:
Numerous small nodules throughout both lungs
Upper lobe cavitary lesions
Localized pleural thickening
Dense lobar consolidation
Miliary TB results from hematogenous dissemination, producing numerous millet seed–sized nodules visible on X-ray. Lesions are uniform and diffuse across lung fields. Early recognition is critical in immunocompromised hosts. Radiopaedia
Tuberculous meningitis cerebrospinal fluid typically shows:
Lymphocytic pleocytosis, elevated protein, low glucose
Neutrophilic pleocytosis, high glucose
Eosinophilic predominance, normal protein
No cells, normal glucose
TB meningitis causes a subacute CSF profile with lymphocyte predominance, high protein due to breakdown of the blood–brain barrier, and decreased glucose consumed by leukocytes and bacilli. Acid-fast staining and molecular tests confirm diagnosis. NCBI
Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) is defined as MDR-TB plus resistance to:
Any fluoroquinolone and at least one second-line injectable
Pyrazinamide and ethambutol
Streptomycin and ciprofloxacin
Isoniazid only
XDR-TB shows resistance to isoniazid and rifampin (MDR-TB) plus any fluoroquinolone and at least one of the three injectable second-line drugs (amikacin, kanamycin, or capreomycin). Treatment options are severely limited. WHO
Isoniazid is a prodrug activated by the enzyme KatG; its active form inhibits which target in M. tuberculosis?
Mycolic acid synthesis
DNA gyrase
RNA polymerase
Peptidoglycan cross-linking
Isoniazid is converted by the mycobacterial catalase-peroxidase enzyme KatG into active radicals that inhibit InhA and KasA, enzymes involved in mycolic acid synthesis. Without mycolic acids, the bacilli cannot maintain their cell wall. Mutations in katG confer resistance. NCBI
Tuberculous pleural effusion primarily results from:
Delayed hypersensitivity reaction to mycobacterial proteins
Direct bacterial invasion of the pleura
Cardiac failure-related transudation
Hypoalbuminemia-induced exudation
Most tuberculous pleural effusions arise from a Type IV hypersensitivity-mediated immune response to mycobacterial antigens in the pleural space, leading to exudation. Bacteria are often sparse in fluid, requiring pleural biopsy for confirmation. NCBI
Bedaquiline, a newer anti-TB drug, specifically targets which bacterial component?
ATP synthase
DNA polymerase
50S ribosomal subunit
DNA-dependent RNA polymerase
Bedaquiline inhibits the mycobacterial ATP synthase proton pump, leading to energy depletion and bacterial death. It’s effective against drug-resistant TB strains and represents a novel mechanism distinct from traditional drugs. Cardiac monitoring is required due to QT prolongation risk. WHO
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify TB Causative Factors -

    Analyze the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium and related risk factors that contribute to infection. Gain clarity on how latent and active TB differ in presentation and progression.

  2. Describe Transmission Routes -

    Explain the primary modes of TB spread, including airborne droplets and high - risk environments. Recognize factors that increase transmission likelihood in various populations.

  3. Recognize Clinical Manifestations -

    List common signs and symptoms associated with pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Differentiate TB manifestations from other respiratory illnesses.

  4. Interpret Diagnostic Assessments -

    Interpret results from TB skin tests, interferon-gamma release assays, and radiographic imaging. Understand the strengths and limitations of each diagnostic tool.

  5. Apply Prevention Strategies -

    Implement effective measures to reduce TB transmission, including vaccination, screening, and isolation protocols. Assess community and individual prevention tactics for maximum impact.

  6. Evaluate Treatment Approaches -

    Outline first-line and second-line drug regimens and monitor for drug resistance. Assess patient adherence strategies and public health considerations in TB management.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Mycobacterium tuberculosis Basics -

    Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an acid-fast bacillus with a waxy, lipid-rich cell wall that makes it resistant to many disinfectants (Source: CDC). Remember the mnemonic "My Waxy Cell" to recall its mycolic acid - rich envelope. Understanding this is key for both a tuberculosis quiz and any tb disease quiz.

  2. Transmission and Risk Factors -

    TB spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, especially in crowded, poorly ventilated spaces (WHO). Keep in mind "Close Contact, Cloudy Air" as a catchphrase to recall high-risk scenarios. This knowledge helps you ace tuberculosis test questions and tb quiz online challenges.

  3. Classic Clinical Presentation -

    Common symptoms include a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, night sweats, unintentional weight loss, and sometimes hemoptysis (Mayo Clinic). Use the phrase "Cough, Cold Sweats, Slim Pants" to jog your memory during a TB quiz. Recognizing these signs is essential when reviewing tb quiz questions and answers pdf study materials.

  4. Diagnostic Methods -

    Key tests include the Mantoux tuberculin skin test (positive if induration ≥5 mm in high-risk patients), interferon-gamma release assays, chest X-ray, and sputum smear microscopy (NIH). A quick way to remember is "Skin, Blood, Lungs, Sputum." These methods frequently appear in tuberculosis test questions and tuberculosis quiz formats.

  5. Treatment Regimen & Resistance -

    The standard "RIPE" regimen - Rifampin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol - lasts for two months, followed by continuation therapy (CDC). Think "RIPE apple" to lock in the four first-line drugs and always consider DOT (Directly Observed Therapy) to prevent resistance. Mastering this ensures top scores on your tb disease quiz and tb quiz online.

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