Question

A patient has vague respiratory symptoms. The nurse practitioner opts to begin assessment with a chest x-ray. The results come back showing cavitations and adenopathy and granulomas on the hila of the lungs. What diagnosis the the nurse practitioner suspect based on this results?

a. Pneumonia
b. Cystic fibrosis
c. Chronic bronchitis
d. Tuberculosis

Answer 1

The nurse practitioner would likely suspect tuberculosis as the diagnosis due to the presence of cavitations, adenopathy, and granulomas on the chest x-ray; these findings align with TB rather than pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, or chronic bronchitis.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the chest x-ray results showing cavitations, adenopathy, and granulomas on the hila of the lungs, the nurse practitioner would most likely suspect the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). These radiographic findings, particularly the presence of cavitations and granulomas, are more characteristic of TB than other options listed such as pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, or chronic bronchitis. While pneumonia can present with a variety of chest x-ray findings, cavitations and granulomas are not typical of this condition, usually resulting in infiltrates and consolidation, and not the pattern described in the question. As such, TB is the most likely diagnosis given the radiologic evidence provided.