An adolescent has grouped vesicles on oral mucosa. To determine whether these are caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2, the primary care pediatric nurse practitioner will order which test?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Viral culture is the best test to determine whether the grouped vesicles on the oral mucosa are caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2. The virus is grown in a laboratory and identified under a microscope. Direct fluorescent antibody test and Tzanck smear can also help diagnose herpes infections, but they are less accurate than viral culture. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is a blood test that can detect antibodies to the herpes simplex virus, but it cannot differentiate between the two types of virus.

An Adolescent Has Grouped Vesicles on Oral Mucosa