A nurse is preparing to administer an intradermal injection for a client who requires a tuberculin skin test. What actions should the nurse plan to take?
Place a 1-inch needle on the syringe.
Hold the syringe at a 20° angle to the client’s skin.
Draw up 0.5 mL of purified protein derivative (PPD) from the vial.
Pinch the skin at the chosen site with the non-dominant hand before inserting the needle.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is Choice D
Choice A rationale: A 1-inch needle is typically used for intramuscular injections, not intradermal administration. Intradermal injections require a short, fine-gauge needle—usually ¼ to ⅝ inch in length and 25 to 27 gauge—to ensure accurate placement within the dermis. Using a longer needle increases the risk of injecting into subcutaneous tissue, which alters absorption and invalidates the test. Scientific technique demands precise needle selection based on anatomical depth and pharmacokinetics of the test substance.
Choice B rationale: A 20° angle is inappropriate for intradermal injections, which require a shallow angle of 5° to 15° to ensure deposition within the dermal layer. Angles greater than 15° risk penetrating into subcutaneous tissue, compromising test accuracy and absorption kinetics. The dermis is a narrow layer between the epidermis and subcutaneous fat, and precise angulation is critical for forming the characteristic wheal and ensuring localized immune response. Scientific technique mandates strict adherence to angle parameters.
Choice C rationale: The standard volume for a tuberculin skin test using purified protein derivative (PPD) is 0.1 mL, not 0.5 mL. Administering 0.5 mL would exceed the recommended dose, potentially causing excessive local reaction, invalid test results, and patient discomfort. The Mantoux method requires exact dosing to elicit a controlled immune response for accurate interpretation. Scientific protocol emphasizes precision in volume to maintain test validity and minimize adverse effects. Overdosing violates established guidelines.
Choice D rationale: Pinching or gently pulling the skin taut at the injection site stabilizes the dermal layer and facilitates correct needle placement. This technique ensures the needle enters at the proper angle and depth, allowing formation of a visible wheal, which confirms intradermal delivery. It also minimizes patient discomfort and prevents misplacement into deeper tissues. Scientific technique for intradermal injections prioritizes anatomical control and tactile feedback to optimize accuracy and diagnostic reliability.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A client who has community-acquired pneumonia with copious respiratory secretions should be assigned to the private room. This is because pneumonia, especially with copious respiratory secretions, can be transmitted through the air, and therefore requires airborne precautions.
Choice B rationale
A client who has AIDS and is coughing up blood may not necessarily require a private room for airborne precautions. While AIDS is a serious condition, it is not primarily transmitted through the air. Instead, it is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids, particularly blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
Choice C rationale
A client who has Guillain-Barré syndrome and is on a ventilator would not necessarily require a private room for airborne precautions. Guillain-Barré syndrome is a neurological disorder, not an infectious disease, and it is not transmitted from person to person.
Choice D rationale
A client who has bronchitis and a tracheostomy may not necessarily require a private room for airborne precautions. While bronchitis can be caused by an infection, it is typically transmitted through direct contact or droplet transmission, not through the air.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Vibration is a technique used in chest physiotherapy to increase the turbulence of the client’s exhaled air. It involves the use of manual or mechanical techniques to create vibrations in the chest wall during exhalation. This helps to loosen mucus in the airways and improve clearance of secretions.
Choice B rationale
Percussion, also known as chest clapping, is a technique used in chest physiotherapy to help loosen and mobilize secretions in the lungs. However, it does not specifically increase the turbulence of exhaled air.
Choice C rationale
Postural drainage involves positioning the client in specific ways to use gravity to assist in the removal of secretions from the lungs. While it can be beneficial in managing respiratory infections, it does not directly increase the turbulence of exhaled air.
Choice D rationale
Nebulization involves the use of a machine to create a mist of medication that the client inhales into the lungs. While it can be used to deliver medications to help manage respiratory infections, it does not increase the turbulence of exhaled air.
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