Which arm is used for TB test?

The injection should be placed on the palm-side-up surface of the forearm, about 2 to 4 inches below the elbow. Your local institutional policy may specify the right or the left forearm for the skin test.

Where do you give a TB skin test?

The TST is performed by injecting 0.1 ml of tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) into the inner surface of the forearm. The injection should be made with a tuberculin syringe, with the needle bevel facing upward. The TST is an intradermal injection.

What is the protocol for TB testing?

TB Skin Test The tuberculin test should be read 48 to 72 hours after the injection. A patient who does not return within 72 hours will need to be rescheduled for another skin test. The reaction should be measured in millimeters of the induration (palpable, raised, hardened area or swelling).

Can a TB test be administered wrong?

People with recent TB infections and very old TB infections can also show false negative test results. If the test is done incorrectly, a false negative might occur.

Why is left arm used for TB screening?

The right arm represents a positive reaction to PPD (a skin test for tuberculosis protein). The left arm represents a positive reaction to Candida protein. Candida antigen is tested to determine if the individual’s immune system is functioning well; a normal immune system demonstrates a positive reaction.

How should your arm look after a TB test?

Your health care provider MUST check your arm 2 or 3 days after the TB skin test, even if your arm looks OK to you. If you have a reaction to the test, it will look like a raised bump. Your health care provider will measure the size of the reaction. If there is a bump, it will go away in a few weeks.

How do you administer TB test?

Administration

1. Locate and clean injection site 5–10 cm (2–4 inches) below elbow joint. Place forearm palm-up on a firm, well-lit surface.
2. Prepare syringe. Check expiry date on vial and ensure vial contains tuberculin PPD-S (5 TU/0.1 ml).
3. Inject tuberculin (see Figure A3.1)
4. Check injection site.
5. Record information.

How do you administer TB?

The standard recommended tuberculin test, known as the Mantoux test, is administered by injecting a 0.1 mL of a liquid containing 5 TU (tuberculin units) of PPD into the top layers of skin (intradermally, immediately under the surface of the skin) of the forearm.

When do you give 2nd step PPD?

To avoid misinterpretation between a boosted response and a new infection, many facilities employ the 2-step procedure. In this procedure a person is given a baseline PPD test. If the test is (-), a second test is administered 1- 3 weeks later (i.e. the second test can be read 7-21 days after the first).

Can a nurse read her own TB test?

All initial and follow-up TB skin tests shall be administered and interpreted by a trained facility health care provider, or a licensed physician. No one may interpret his/her own test.

Why do you have to wait 48 72 hours to read a TB test?

The authors state that, in adults, the size of the Mantoux reaction for tuberculin testing is significantly larger at 72 hours than at 48 hours. They add that in clinical practice, tuberculin tests should be read at 72 hours to reduce the number of false-negative results.

What are the side effects of a TB test?

Tuberculin Tine Test Side Effects

• Bleeding at the injection site (occurring up to 3 days after the skin test)
• blistering, crusting, or scabbing at the injection site.
• deep, dark purple bruise at the injection site (occurring up to 3 days after the skin test)
• difficult or labored breathing.
• fainting.
• fast heartbeat.

What do you need to know about TB risk assessment?

Information from the baseline individual TB risk assessment should be used to interpret the results of a TB blood test or TB skin test given upon hire (i.e., preplacement). Health care personnel with a positive TB test result should receive a symptom evaluation and a chest x-ray to rule out TB disease.

Can you test for TB with a blood test?

Generally, it is not recommended to test a person with both a TB skin test and a TB blood test. The TB skin test is also called the Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST). A TB skin test requires two visits with a health care provider.

How does a TB skin test take place?

The TB skin test is performed by injecting a small amount of fluid (called tuberculin) into the skin on the lower part of the arm. A person given the tuberculin skin test must return within 48 to 72 hours to have a trained health care worker look for a reaction on the arm.

Do you have to test for TB with both TST and Igra?

Factors in selecting which test to use include the reason for testing, test availability, and cost. Generally, it is not recommended to test a person with both a TST and an IGRA. If a person is found to be infected with TB bacteria, other tests are needed to see if the person has TB disease.