Question

The health care provider writes an order for bacteriologic testing for a patient who has a positive tuberculosis skin test. Which action will the nurse take?

a. Repeat the tuberculin skin testing.
b. Teach about the reason for the blood tests.
c. Obtain consecutive sputum specimens from the patient for 3 days.
d. Instruct the patient to expectorate three specimens as soon as possible.

Answer 1

c. Obtain consecutive sputum specimens from the patient for 3 days. The nurse will obtain consecutive sputum specimens from the patient for 3 days to confirm the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse will obtain consecutive sputum specimens from the patient for 3 days.

When a patient has a positive tuberculosis skin test, it indicates exposure to the bacteria and an immune response. To confirm the diagnosis and determine the presence of active tuberculosis, bacteriologic testing is necessary. The nurse will collect consecutive sputum specimens from the patient for 3 days. This is done to increase the chances of detecting the bacteria if present.

During the collection process, the nurse will instruct the patient to expectorate three specimens as soon as possible. This allows for a sufficient sample size and increases the likelihood of a positive identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis.