Abstract
Pulmonary tuberculosis is still a major health problem in the United States as well as around the world. The purpose of this article is to provide critical care nursing staff as well as other healthcare providers with a foundation to recognize and manage patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Topics discussed include etiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, extrapulmonary tuberculosis, signs and symptoms, diagnostic testing, and the role of the critical care nurse in the management of these patients.