Saunders Respiratory Practice

What is the priority action when a nurse notes a positive reaction to the tuberculin skin test?

1. Provide the patient with educational materials

2. Schedule a follow-up appointment

3. Implement airborne precautions

4. Report the findings

The correct answer is: Report the findings

When a nurse notes a positive reaction to the tuberculin skin test (TST), the priority action is to report the findings. Reporting is essential as a positive TST indicates exposure to the tuberculosis (TB) bacterium and can signify an active or latent infection. This information is crucial for further evaluation, management, and treatment of the patient, as well as for public health measures and potential contact tracing. Timely communication of the results enables the healthcare team to initiate appropriate diagnostic procedures, such as chest X-rays or sputum tests, to determine whether the patient has active TB disease. Early identification is critical in preventing the spread of TB, as the disease can be contagious if it is active. While educational materials and scheduling follow-up appointments are important steps in patient care, they occur after the immediate need to report and assess the situation. Airborne precautions may also be necessary, but they would typically be implemented after confirming the likelihood of active TB and in accordance with the facility's protocols. Thus, reporting the positive result remains the priority action.