A patient diagnosed with TB is started on Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS). The primary purpose of DOTS is to:

A25-year-old female is diagnosed with latent TB infection (LTBI) after a positive tuberculin skin test. She has no signs or symptoms of active TB disease, and her chest X-ray is normal. What is the primary goal of treating LTBI? 

A 22-year-old college student is diagnosedwith TB of the cervical lymph nodes (scrofula). He has no pulmonary symptoms, and his chest X-ray is clear. How should this case be categorized and treated under NTEP? 

A private practitioner in a small town diagnoses a 65-year-old man with pulmonary TB based on clinical symptoms and a chest X-ray. He prescribes a 4-drug FDC. What is the practitioner's most important public health responsibility according to Indian law and NTEP guidelines? 

Under the 'End TB' strategy, the NTEP aimsto achieve an 80% reduction in TB incidence by 2025 compared to the 2015baseline. Which of the following interventions is a key component of the 'Prevent' pillar of this strategy? 

A 4-year-old asymptomatic child'sTuberculin Skin Test (TST) shows an induration of 11 mm. He is a household contact of a sputum-smear positive pulmonary TB patient. His chest X-ray is normal. What is the most appropriate management for this child? 

AnASHA worker is screening households in a tribal area. She identifies a40-year-old woman with a cough for 3 weeks and a fever. The nearest Primary Health Centre (PHC) with a microscope is 20 km away. What is the most appropriate initial action according to the NTEP's strategy for reaching remote populations? 

A3-year-old child presents with a non-productive cough, persistent fever, and weight loss. She cannot expectorate sputum. A gastric aspirate is collected for testing. Which diagnostic test on this sample will provide the most rapid and sensitive confirmation of TB and drug resistance? 

A patient with sputum-positive pulmonary TB completes his 6-month treatment regimen under direct observation. A sputum smear examination done at the end of treatment is negative. According to NTEP definitions, what is the treatment outcome for this patient? 

A 28-year-old HIV-positive man (CD4 count80 cells/µL) is diagnosed with active pulmonary tuberculosis. He has not yet started antiretroviral therapy (ART). What is the recommended timing for initiating ART ?

Apatient diagnosed with pre-extensively drug-resistant TB (Pre-XDR-TB) is foundto be resistant to Rifampicin, Isoniazid, and a fluoroquinolone. Which of the following newer drugs is a cornerstone of the recommended all-oral regimen for this condition? 

Contact tracing is initiated for a 50-year-old female diagnosed with infectious pulmonary TB. Which of the following contacts would be considered the highest priority for screening and evaluation? 

Apatient who was previously treated for TB two years ago presents with a cough and fever. His sputum CB-NAAT result shows 'M. tuberculosis detected, Rifampicin resistance detected'. What is the correct classification for this patient? 

The BCG vaccine is administered to infants as part of the National Immunization Schedule in India. What is the primary protective effect of this vaccine? 

Apresumptive TB patient provides two sputum samples. The first 'spot' sample issmear-negative. The second 'morning' sample is smear-positive for Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB). What is the next immediate step in patient management?