Question

"Tabitha Anderson is scheduled for skin testing next week. What is an important part of the preparation for this procedure?"

a. The procedure should be performed before the physician gets to the office to see patients for the day.
b. The patient should continue to take antihistamines to prevent a serious response to allergens.
c. The patient should stop taking all antihistamines or allergy medication 3 to 10 days before testing.
d. None of the above.

Answer 1

An important part of the preparation for skin testing is for the patient to stop taking all antihistamines or allergy medication 3 to 10 days before testing. This ensures that the skin test accurately reflects the patient's allergic sensitivities.

Step-by-step explanation:

An important part of the preparation for skin testing is for the patient to stop taking all antihistamines or allergy medication 3 to 10 days before testing (c). Antihistamines prevent the release of histamines, which can interfere with the skin test results and prevent the accurate identification of allergens. By stopping antihistamines before the procedure, the patient can ensure that the skin test accurately reflects their allergic sensitivities.