Freaking out just a little...

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in One day CCU maybe!.

Okay I'm a nursing student and just went for my health assessment yesterday. I had a TB skin test and go for my result on Monday. After taking a hot shower a few minutes ago, I'm noticing some redness surrounding the injection site. I had a TB test just over a month ago and it was negative. Its only been 24hrs, is this reaction normal? I can't tell if it is bruised or reacting??

right now its very faint redness and about little less than a quarter's size but more than a nickle?? Its not as dark as it was when I got out of the shower.

Am I just getting panicky for no reason? For only being 24hrs post injection is this a normal reaction or a bad sign?

I've only had two TB tests in my life (one for volunteering about four years ago) and one on Feb 10th 2008. They were never painful except yesterday's. PLus the one I got on the 10th she went too deep and no bubble formed she had to redo it.

I'm just worried that they will hold me back from orientation to do more tests if this thing bubbles...if it was positive would it be bubbling by now?? I have no hardness to the area...would I be able to see a bubble by now?

I need some reassurance if you can offer it. :uhoh21:

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

Worst case scenario your test is positive. Then you will do a chest x-ray to verify. It wont hold you back, you may just be having a reaction.

Or course we are not allowed to give any medical advice on this forum, and I am just trying to put your mind at ease that this will not hold you back.

The same thing happend to me a few years ago, now I no longer get the injections I just do a signs and symptoms sheet. I had a false positive so they say I am allergic to the solution.

Until you get it officially read by a qualified reader you dont know the outcome. But try not to stress about it.

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Specializes in One day CCU maybe!.

I realized after posting that message that most likely no one could tell me what they think since you have to read the results. But thanks for the assurance that it won't hold me back.

I'm hoping its just a bruise or allergic reaction.

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Specializes in HCA, Physch, WC, Management.
;) Try not to worry too much until you have it checked. Like the PP said, a "positive" test result will not set you back.
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Specializes in NICU.

A positive result will feel like a pea under your skin...not just redness or tenderness, since those can both happen just with the injection.

Deep breath. Everyone else is right: worst case scenario - you have to have a rule-out chest x-ray.

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Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.

according to the cdc, a positive ppd is based on induration at 48-72 hours, not redness.

as stated above, lots of nurses have had positive ppd's with neg. cxr, myself included.

relax and get it read by a pro when its due.

(((:redbeathe)))

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Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

At our school we had to have the test done by the time we started clinicals it was a lvn program and we started clinicals on 6th week. If we knew we had a positive we had to get a chest xray and we could start. This should not hold you back.

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Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.

blueridge is correct, area of induration is what counts, not redness,regardless you need to wait 48-72 hrs to see

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Specializes in One day CCU maybe!.

Thank you guys...the redness is starting to go away. I think it was a bruise or just irritated. I guess now I just need to wait and see what happens.

I do have to say after reading a lot of different things online I realized a few things that probably didn't help: She put a bandage over it and even rubbed the bandage down, then I was holding my son in my left (I always hold my children on my left which is where the tb was), she didn't tell me not to take a shower for 24hrs which I did, and I didn't reduce the use of that arm...I didn't know I was supposed to. Maybe that aggravated it some??

Anyhow, I will try to avoid using it for the next 24hrs but with a 2yr old and an 11month old that always wants to be held that will be difficult!

I appreciate the support though! I guess now I'll try not to think about it...but something tells me I'll wake up every 2hrs tonight and rub my finger over it just to be sure I don't feel a "pea"...lol.

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Specializes in Endoscopy/MICU/SICU.

When I got my PPD test, the nurse told me that if I'd had any other immunizations within the last 4 weeks, that could interfere and give a false positive test. just a thought

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Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.

I mostly agree with others...try to relax. However, I will relate my personal experience. In 1992, prior to paramedic school we had to have TB testing done too. they gave us our little bleb and I noticed that mine was red...zero induration, just red. It didn't go away in 48 hours, just stayed red and flat - but when I went to the health dept. to have the nurse check it...she told me I had a positive reaction after she scraped it with a key!! I was on INH therapy for 6 months (because I didn't know that I wasn't positive)...and I've never tested "positive" again.

Oh, and INH is a nasty, nasty medicine. When they say "don't drink alcohol while you're on this"...they mean it.

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I agree with the PP, it is not the reddness that indicates a positive TB skin test it is the induration(swelling, or raised area). Also there is no restrictions for the arm the test was given in. You are able to lift, carry, and do anything you normally do with that arm. Hope this help and GL, KUP and try not to worry!!:up:

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