Which of the following statements is incorrect?

MP CHO -2019 (Shift-1)

Medical Surgical Nursing

Medium

Appeared in: MP CHO -2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

This statement is factually incorrect because not every person exposed to M. tuberculosis develops active disease.
Following exposure, an individual's immune system may clear the infection, or the bacteria may establish a latent infection (LTBI).
Only about 5-10% of immunocompetent individuals with latent TB will develop active disease in their lifetime.
The progression from latent infection to active disease is much more common in people with compromised immune systems.

Option A: This is a correct statement. Tuberculosis disease is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Option B: This is a correct statement. After exposure to TB bacteria, a person may clear the infection, develop a latent infection, or progress to active disease. The outcome is not uniform for everyone.
Option C: This is a correct statement. A key characteristic of latent TB infection (LTBI) is that the individual harbors the bacteria but is not symptomatic and cannot transmit the infection to others.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pathophysiology and transmission of Tuberculosis (TB) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the difference between latent TB and active TB is critical for nursing practice, particularly for implementing appropriate infection control measures.
Patients with suspected or confirmed active pulmonary TB require airborne isolation precautions (negative pressure room, N95 respirators for staff) to prevent transmission.
Nurses play a key role in educating patients with LTBI about the importance of completing prophylactic treatment to prevent progression to active disease.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question. It asks you to find the 'incorrect' statement, which means three of the options are true facts about TB, and one is false.
Read each option carefully and evaluate its factual accuracy based on your knowledge of tuberculosis.
Option A states the causative agent. Recall the name of the bacterium that causes TB.
Option B and D present opposing ideas about the outcome of exposure. Consider if exposure always leads to disease or if other outcomes are possible.
Option C describes the infectiousness of latent TB. Recall the key differences between latent and active TB.
The statement that directly contradicts established knowledge about TB pathogenesis (i.e., that not everyone gets sick) is the incorrect one and therefore the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QYm-iJsIUZRKfOW50UJvdc

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 375-377

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1840-1842