A common symptom of tuberculosis disease is

• A. Coughing
• B. Severe rash
• C. Abdominal pain
• D. Joint stiffness

Answer: (A)

Persistent coughing is the most common sign of tuberculosis disease, especially when it affects the lungs. The TB bacteria irritate lung tissue, and coughing becomes the main way the body tries to clear the airways. This cough often lasts weeks and may produce sputum or even blood, and it’s a key way TB spreads through airborne droplets. While TB can involve other parts of the body and cause symptoms like night sweats, fever, weight loss, or chest pain, the hallmark symptom taught for recognizing TB in care settings is a long-lasting cough. The other options—severe rash, abdominal pain, and joint stiffness—aren’t typical primary signs of TB and point to different conditions. If a resident has a persistent cough, report it promptly to the nurse and follow your facility’s infection-control guidelines.