Question

A culture is taken of a lesion suspected of being herpes. The nurse knows that the specimen:?

1) should be double-bagged
2) should be packed on ice
3) requires no special handling
4) should be kept warm

Answer 1

A lesion specimen suspected of being herpes should be packed on ice to preserve the virus for accurate testing. Glove use and proper disposal are critical for safety.

so the correct answer is Option 2) should be packed on ice

Step-by-step explanation:

When handling a specimen suspected of being herpes, which is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), it is crucial to maintain the integrity of the sample to ensure accurate diagnostic testing. In this particular scenario, the specimen should be packed on ice. This is because specimens intended for viral culture, like those taken for suspected herpes lesions, need to be kept cool to preserve the viability of the virus. If the specimen were to be kept warm or at room temperature, it might lead to the degradation of the viral particles, resulting in potential false negatives. By packing the specimen on ice, the chances of virus survival are increased until the sample can be properly processed in the laboratory.

Cold sores or fever blisters, which are common manifestations of HSV-1 infection, typically appear on or around the lips. Safety precautions, such as wearing gloves and disposing of them in biohazard garbage after working with cultures, are essential to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus, even when patients are asymptomatic.

the correct answer is Option 2) should be packed on ice