A nurse is assessing a client who received a Mantoux skin test 72 hours ago for tuberculosis screening. Which of the following findings indicates a positive test result?

Choice A reason: A 10-mL syringe produces high pressure, risking tissue damage during wound irrigation; low-pressure flow is safer. Assuming a 10-mL syringe is appropriate risks harming the wound, critical to avoid in ensuring gentle, effective irrigation for abdominal incision healing in wound care.

Choice B reason: Irrigating with low-pressure flow (e.g., 35-mL syringe or irrigation system) gently cleanses the abdominal incision, preventing tissue trauma while removing debris. This is critical for infection prevention, promoting healing, and ensuring safe wound care, essential for effective management of surgical incisions in clients.

Choice C reason: Cleansing from bottom to top risks dragging contaminants into the wound; top-to-bottom is standard. Assuming upward cleansing is correct risks infection, critical to prevent in ensuring proper wound hygiene and healing for clients with abdominal incisions during wound care.

Choice D reason: Cleansing drain sites involves circular motion from center outward, not inward, to avoid contamination. Low-pressure irrigation is key for wounds. Assuming inward motion is correct risks infection, critical to avoid in ensuring proper wound and drain care for abdominal incisions.

Choice A reason: A blister-like area is not indicative of a positive Mantoux test, which shows induration; blisters suggest irritation. Assuming blisters are positive risks misdiagnosis, potentially missing tuberculosis exposure, critical to avoid in ensuring accurate screening and follow-up in clients tested for TB.

Choice B reason: Ecchymosis (bruising) is not a positive Mantoux result; induration indicates exposure. Assuming ecchymosis is positive risks incorrect interpretation, potentially overlooking tuberculosis risk, critical to prevent in ensuring proper screening, diagnosis, and follow-up for clients undergoing TB skin testing.

Choice C reason: A cool, blanched area suggests no reaction, not a positive Mantoux test, which requires induration. Assuming blanching is positive risks missing exposure, critical to avoid in ensuring accurate tuberculosis screening, guiding appropriate diagnostic follow-up, and protecting client and public health.

Choice D reason: An elevated, hardened area (induration) at 72 hours indicates a positive Mantoux test, suggesting TB exposure, requiring further evaluation. This is critical for accurate screening, ensuring timely diagnosis, preventing disease spread, and guiding follow-up in clients tested for tuberculosis exposure.