The nurse is caring for a patient with suspected sinusitis. Which assessment finding supports this diagnosis?

A. 2–3 days:This is the correct time frame for interpreting a tuberculin skin test (Mantoux test). The induration response should be evaluated 48 to 72 hours after administration to ensure accurate results. Reading the test outside this window may lead to false negatives or unreliable interpretation.

B. 24 hours:Reading the skin test after only 24 hours may not allow sufficient time for the delayed hypersensitivity reaction to develop. The immune response that causes induration typically peaks at 48–72 hours.

C. 1 week:Waiting a full week exceeds the ideal time frame for interpretation. By this point, the reaction may have subsided, leading to an inaccurate or unreadable result. Follow-up must occur within 2–3 days.

D. 1 month:A return after one month is far too late to interpret the results. The test site would have long since returned to baseline, making accurate evaluation impossible and necessitating repeat testing.

A. Clear drainage from the ear:Clear ear drainage is not a typical symptom of sinusitis and may suggest a different issue such as otitis media with tympanic membrane rupture or cerebrospinal fluid leak in rare cases.

B. Ear pain when lying down:While referred ear pain can occur in sinusitis due to pressure, pain that worsens when lying down is more commonly associated with otitis media or Eustachian tube dysfunction. It is not specific to sinusitis.

C. Generalized pain in the upper teeth:Upper tooth pain is a classic sign of maxillary sinusitis due to the proximity of the sinus cavities to the upper dental roots. Inflammation or pressure in the sinuses can cause discomfort that radiates to the upper jaw.

D. Maxillary sinuses nontender on percussion:Lack of tenderness over the maxillary sinuses suggests absence of significant inflammation. In sinusitis, percussion or palpation over the sinuses typically produces tenderness due to mucosal swelling and pressure buildup.