Under NTEP, a TB patient who is sputum-positive at 5 months of treatment is classified as:
- A Defaulter
- B Relapse
- C Treatment failed ✓
- D Lost to follow-up
Correct answer: C. Treatment failed
Explanation
Treatment failure is defined as sputum smear or culture positivity at 5 months or later during treatment. This indicates the patient has not responded to the treatment regimen and requires a different regimen. 'Lost to follow-up' means interrupted treatment for ≥2 consecutive months; 'relapse' means a previously successfully treated patient who is again sputum-positive.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.