AFB smear and culture

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I know that AFB smear and culture are the tests to diagnose TB. I wonder if a patient has a positive AFB smear, then what is the purpose of the AFB culture? Is it to examine the extent of growth of AFB in the culture medium?

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

No, the culture would be for the purpose of determining strain and sensitivity to antimicrobials.

Based on your posting history, I'm wondering why the almost obsessive attention to gastric intubation. Are you a student and having difficulty grasping these concepts, or is there some other reason for your interest?

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janfrn, if you find out, let me know. :)

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I'm a newly graduated RN who works in medicine ward, so Ryles tube insertion is common and I want to know more on it.

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