Under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), a 35-year-old patient with drug-sensitive pulmonary TB who was previously treated with first-line drugs and whose sputum smear is positive at the end of the intensive phase is classified as a new case for treatment purposes. True or false?
- A True, because the patient was previously treated
- B False, the patient is classified as a previously treated case ✓
- C True, because the sputum smear is positive
- D False, the patient is classified as a failure case
Correct answer: B. False, the patient is classified as a previously treated case
Explanation
Under NTEP, any patient who has received anti-TB treatment for more than one month in the past is classified as a previously treated (retreatment) case, regardless of current smear status. This classification determines the treatment regimen. A new case is one with no history of prior anti-TB treatment or treatment for less than one month.
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.