A nurse is assisting with care for a client who received a tuberculin skin test 72 hr ago. When collecting data from the test site, which of the following findings indicates a need for further testing?
Nonpalpable area of redness, less than 5 mm (0.2 in) in diameter
Area of ecchymosis, greater than 12 mm (0.5 in) in diameter
Tenderness at the injection site
Palpable area of induration, greater than 10 mm (0.4 in) in diameter
The Correct Answer is D
Palpable area of induration, greater than 10 mm (0.4 in) in diameter. This indicates a positive tuberculin skin test (TST) reaction for a person with no known risk factors for TB infection. A positive TST reaction means that the person has been infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes TB disease, and needs further testing to confirm the diagnosis and rule out active TB disease.
The other choices are not correct because:
- Choice A. Nonpalpable area of redness, less than 5 mm (0.2 in) in diameter. This indicates a negative TST reaction for any person, regardless of their risk factors for TB infection. A negative TST reaction means that the person has not been infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis or has a very low level of immune response to the bacterium.
- Choice B. Area of ecchymosis, greater than 12 mm (0.5 in) in diameter. This indicates a bruise or bleeding under the skin, not a TST reaction. Ecchymosis is not caused by the injection of tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) into the skin, but by trauma or injury to the blood vessels.
- Choice C. Tenderness at the injection site. This indicates a mild local reaction to the injection of tuberculin PPD into the skin, not a TST reaction. Tenderness is not measured in millimeters of induration (firm swelling), which is the standard way of reading TST results.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Epoetin alfa is a medication used to stimulate erythropoiesis, the production of red blood cells. An increase in the client's hemoglobin level indicates that the medication has been effective. The normal range of hemoglobin for adult females is 12-16 g/dL and for adult males is 13.5-17.5 g/dL. A hemoglobin level of 11 g/dL is slightly below the normal range, but it is an improvement from a lower level. Choice B, WBC count 9,000/mm3 is unrelated to the medication and is within the normal range. Choice
C, total calcium 10 mg/dL, and choice D, PT 12 seconds, are also unrelated to the medication and are within the normal range.
Choice B (WBC count 9,000/mm3) is not an answer because it is unrelated to the medication and is within the normal range.
Choice C (total calcium 10 mg/dL) is not an answer because it is unrelated to the medication and is within the normal range.
Choice D (PT 12 seconds) is not an answer because it is unrelated to the medication and is within the normal range.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. Requires nasogastric suction.

Nasogastric suction removes gastric secretions that contain potassium, leading to a loss of potassium from the body.
This can cause hypokalemia, which is a low level of potassium in the blood.
Choice A is wrong because Addison’s disease causes hyperkalemia, which is a high level of potassium in the blood.
Choice B is wrong because tissue damage can release potassium from the cells into the blood, causing hyperkalemia.
Choice C is wrong because uric acid level is not related to potassium level.
Uric acid is a waste product of purine metabolism that can cause gout or kidney stones if elevated.
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