1
6.4 Advanced Organizer
Division of Nursing, IWU School of Integrated Health
PYC-681: Primary Care Across the Lifespan I
, 2
6.4 Advanced Organizer
Discuss Tuberculosis. Please look at the presentation, assessment, treatment, and follow-up
needed. Also include guidelines for a positive PPD.
Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium
tuberculosis, an acid-fast aerobic bacterium capable of surviving outside the host for extended
periods (Polgar-Bailey, 2025). Although TB is relatively rare in the United States, it remains the
13th leading cause of death globally (Polgar-Bailey, 2025). The disease may present in either a
latent form, where the infected individual shows no symptoms, or in an active form that results in
illness (Polgar-Bailey, 2025). It is estimated that approximately 25% of the global population
carries latent TB (Polgar-Bailey, 2025). Due to its prevalence and potential for progression to
serious disease, healthcare providers need to recognize TB’s clinical presentation, initiate
diagnostic evaluations, implement evidence-based treatment protocols, and provide structured
follow-up care.
While TB typically affects the lungs, up to 15% of cases are extrapulmonary, involving
other anatomical sites, such as bones and joints, the genitourinary tract, the lymphatic system,
and the central nervous system (Polgar-Bailey, 2025). TB spreads primarily through airborne
droplets, which can remain suspended in the air for several hours and lead to infection when
inhaled by others (Polgar-Bailey, 2025). Individuals with latent TB are asymptomatic and not
infectious; however, since approximately 10% of those with latent infection may progress to
active TB during their lifetime, early identification and monitoring are critical (Polgar-Bailey,
2025). Those who develop active TB may experience symptoms such as fatigue, anorexia, weight
loss, night sweats, a persistent cough lasting two to three weeks, chest pain, hemoptysis, irregular
6.4 Advanced Organizer
Division of Nursing, IWU School of Integrated Health
PYC-681: Primary Care Across the Lifespan I
, 2
6.4 Advanced Organizer
Discuss Tuberculosis. Please look at the presentation, assessment, treatment, and follow-up
needed. Also include guidelines for a positive PPD.
Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium
tuberculosis, an acid-fast aerobic bacterium capable of surviving outside the host for extended
periods (Polgar-Bailey, 2025). Although TB is relatively rare in the United States, it remains the
13th leading cause of death globally (Polgar-Bailey, 2025). The disease may present in either a
latent form, where the infected individual shows no symptoms, or in an active form that results in
illness (Polgar-Bailey, 2025). It is estimated that approximately 25% of the global population
carries latent TB (Polgar-Bailey, 2025). Due to its prevalence and potential for progression to
serious disease, healthcare providers need to recognize TB’s clinical presentation, initiate
diagnostic evaluations, implement evidence-based treatment protocols, and provide structured
follow-up care.
While TB typically affects the lungs, up to 15% of cases are extrapulmonary, involving
other anatomical sites, such as bones and joints, the genitourinary tract, the lymphatic system,
and the central nervous system (Polgar-Bailey, 2025). TB spreads primarily through airborne
droplets, which can remain suspended in the air for several hours and lead to infection when
inhaled by others (Polgar-Bailey, 2025). Individuals with latent TB are asymptomatic and not
infectious; however, since approximately 10% of those with latent infection may progress to
active TB during their lifetime, early identification and monitoring are critical (Polgar-Bailey,
2025). Those who develop active TB may experience symptoms such as fatigue, anorexia, weight
loss, night sweats, a persistent cough lasting two to three weeks, chest pain, hemoptysis, irregular
