08-24-2014, 05:38 PM
A 29-year-old physician returns from a project with Doctors Without Borders in Guatemala. He is required to have a tuberculin skin test (PPD) before he returns to work in the United States. His last PPD test was 2 years ago and was negative; he is currently asymptomatic and denies exposure to patients with active tuberculosis. A tuberculosis skin test is performed 6 weeks after his return from Guatemala. Three days later the area has a 14-mm area of erythema and induration of 11 mm.
Should the physician be treated for latent infection?
A.No, because he is asymptomatic
B.No, because his induration does not exceed 15 mm
C.No, because the test was done too early; he needs a repeated PPD test 12 weeks after exposure
D.Yes, because an induration &8805;10 mm is considered positive in health care workers
E.Yes, because an induration &8805;5 mm is considered positive in health care workers
Should the physician be treated for latent infection?
A.No, because he is asymptomatic
B.No, because his induration does not exceed 15 mm
C.No, because the test was done too early; he needs a repeated PPD test 12 weeks after exposure
D.Yes, because an induration &8805;10 mm is considered positive in health care workers
E.Yes, because an induration &8805;5 mm is considered positive in health care workers