Question

Which of the following pt's would you expect to have a decreased response to TST?

a. Julie, a 50yo postal worker
b. Sandy, a 40yo pt who recently survived a fire that left 40% of her total body surface covered in burns
c. Jill, a 16yo cheerleader
d. Mark, a 29yo tennis player

Answer 1

Sandy, the 40-year-old patient with major burn injuries, is expected to have a decreased response to the Tuberculin Skin Test due to an impaired immune system.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asked which patient would be expected to have a decreased response to a Tuberculin Skin Test (TST). Among the options provided, Sandy, a 40-year-old patient who recently survived a fire and was left with 40% of her total body surface covered in burns, is most likely to have a decreased response to the TST. This is due to the fact that major burns can result in an impaired immune system, which can reduce the body's ability to mount a reaction to the TST. The TST relies on a cell-mediated immune response to detect exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and a compromised immune system may not produce a typical reaction even if there is an infection.