The occupational health nurse administers an intradermal tuberculin skin test (TST) to a health care worker (HCW). The site must be assessed for a reaction afterward. The nurse instructs the HCW to return in how many hours?

Question

The occupational health nurse administers an intradermal tuberculin skin test (TST) to a health care worker (HCW).  The site must be assessed for a reaction afterward.  The nurse instructs the HCW to return in how many hours?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

11ecbb05_cb73_3b88_b433_cbf0556fa11d_MD0009_00 TST (Mantoux) is the standard method for conducting tuberculosis (TB) surveillance of HCWs and involves 2 steps: Injection of purified protein derivative solution under the first layer of skin of the forearm Evaluation of the injection site 48-72 hours later The health care practitioner inspects and palpates the site to determine if a local skin reaction has occurred. Induration (not redness) indicates a positive test, which means that the individual has been exposed to TB, has developed antibodies, and is infected with TB bacteria. Further testing is needed to determine the presence of latent TB infection or active TB disease. Presence of symptoms, positive sputum culture, and chest x-ray abnormalities confirm active TB. Induration The QuantiFERON-TB (QFT) blood test is an alternative to TST that measures how the immune system reacts to TB bacteria. Like TST, a positive QFT test only indicates that the individual has been infected with TB bacteria. Although the test is more expensive, it requires only a single visit to the health care provider and results are available in 24 hours. (Options A, B, and C) The 12-, 24-, and 36-hour time frames are incorrect. Educational objective: The presence of an indurated area at the injection site 2-3 days after the tuberculin solution is administered indicates a positive TST.

The Occupational Health Nurse Administers an Intradermal Tuberculin Skin Test