Question

A patient comes to the clinic with an acute onset of groups of papules and vesicles that follow a dermatomal pattern on the left side of the abdomen. What is the gold standard labs that should be ordered if the NP suspects herpes zoster?

a. CBC and PCR
c. BMP and viral cultures
d. BUN/Cr and PCR
d. Viral cultures and PCR

Answer 1

For a patient with suspected herpes zoster, characterized by dermatomal papules and vesicles on the abdomen, the gold standard lab tests are viral cultures and PCR.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient displays an acute onset of groups of papules and vesicles which follow a dermatomal pattern, particularly on the abdomen, and herpes zoster is suspected by a Nurse Practitioner (NP), the gold standard laboratory tests that should be ordered are viral cultures and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). PCR is the preferred diagnostic method because it provides rapid results and is highly sensitive and specific for detecting the varicella-zoster virus which causes shingles. An additional utility of PCR is its effectiveness in detecting systemic infections.