A nurse in a community health center is assessing the results of a tuberculin skin test she performed on a client. Which of the following results indicates exposure to and a possible infection with tuberculosis (TB)?
10 mm wheal
5 mm induration
15 mm induration
4 mm erythema
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason:
A 10 mm wheal is not indicative of TB infection. A wheal is a raised, often itchy area of skin that usually signifies an allergic reaction, not an infection. The TST looks for induration, which is a firm swelling, as a sign of TB infection.
Choice B Reason:
A 5 mm induration is considered positive in certain high-risk groups, such as people living with HIV, recent contacts of TB patients, or those with a history of organ transplants. For individuals without these risk factors, a 5 mm induration is not considered a positive result.
Choice C Reason:
A 15 mm induration is considered a positive TST result for individuals with no known risk factors for TB. This indicates that the person's immune system has reacted to the tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) injected under the skin, suggesting exposure to TB bacteria.
Choice D Reason:
Erythema, or redness of the skin, is not measured when interpreting TST results. The test measures induration, which is a palpable, raised, hardened area or swelling. Therefore, a 4 mm erythema does not indicate TB infection.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Placing the leg under a heat lamp every 3 hours is not recommended for the treatment of cellulitis. Heat lamps can cause burns and excessive drying of the skin, which may worsen the condition.
Choice B reason:
Wrapping a warm, wet towel around the affected area is a safe and effective way to apply heat therapy for cellulitis. It can help improve blood flow and relieve discomfort without the risk of burns associated with dry heat sources.
Choice C reason:
Using a heating pad directly on the skin, especially when lying down, can increase the risk of burns and is not recommended for treating cellulitis. Heating pads can provide uneven heat and may exacerbate swelling and inflammation.
Choice D reason:
Soaking the leg in water is not typically advised for cellulitis, especially if there are open wounds or breaks in the skin. Immersion in water can introduce new bacteria to the affected area and potentially worsen the infection.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C"]
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Herpes zoster lesions are indeed contagious if they are draining. The virus can spread through direct contact with the fluid from the blisters. It is crucial to cover the lesions to prevent spreading the virus to others, especially to those who have never had chickenpox or the vaccine.
Choice B reason:
The development of vesicles, which are small fluid-filled blisters, is a hallmark of herpes zoster. These vesicles typically appear in a band-like pattern on one side of the body and are often accompanied by pain, itching, or tingling before they are visible.
Choice C reason:
Postherpetic neuralgia is a condition where the pain persists in the area of the herpes zoster rash even after the lesions have healed. This can last for weeks, months, or even years and is more common in older adults.
Choice D reason:
Herpes zoster itself is not spread like chickenpox. It occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, which has been lying dormant in the nerve cells, reactivates. While it is possible for someone who has never had chickenpox to develop chickenpox after direct contact with a shingles rash, herpes zoster is not "easily spread" to others in the same way that chickenpox is.
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