A sputum smear is positive for acid-fast bacilli. Which statement is most accurate?
1The smear supports the presence of acid-fast organisms but does not by itself identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis; molecular testing and culture are needed as appropriate✓ 정답
2The smear definitively identifies drug-susceptible M. tuberculosis, so no further testing is required for treatment decisions
3A positive smear makes culture unnecessary because it confirms active tuberculosis with high specificity
4The finding proves that only nontuberculous mycobacteria are present, ruling out M. tuberculosis complex organisms
해설
AFB microscopy is rapid but is not species-specific and does not provide drug susceptibility. Molecular testing can rapidly support identification, while culture remains important for confirmation and additional characterization.