Which symptom should trigger a medical clearance discussion for TB before initiating PT?

Which symptom should trigger a medical clearance discussion for TB before initiating PT?

• A. Chronic cough lasting >2-3 weeks
• B. Recent onset sneezing
• C. Itchy skin rash
• D. Frequent headaches.

Answer: (A)

A persistent, productive cough lasting more than 2–3 weeks is a red flag for possible active tuberculosis and should prompt medical clearance before starting physical therapy. Tuberculosis is spread through airborne particles, so initiating PT with an active TB infection could put other patients and staff at risk. When this symptom is present, a clinician should defer therapy and seek medical evaluation to confirm whether TB is active. That evaluation may include a physician assessment, chest imaging, and sputum tests. If TB is suspected or confirmed, appropriate infection-control measures and treatment plans are put in place before resuming therapy.

The other symptoms listed—recent sneezing, an itchy skin rash, and frequent headaches—do not point to active TB in the typical clinical sense and are more commonly related to allergies, dermatitis, or benign conditions, respectively, so they don’t carry the same immediate risk signal for initiating PT with potential TB transmission.