Positive PPD test!

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Hello everybody!

I am a second year nursing student. Yesterday, I decided to have a PPD test done to me by my colleague. He took the right dose (0.1ml) in an insuline syringe (10 units). Unfortunately, after he had injected the tuberculin solution, I discovered that the syringe was expired! He disinfected the injection site and injected the solution in intradermal until the skin formed a papule. After he had finished he pressed it using a bit of cotton until the papule became larger. Today, I discovered that the site felt itchy and the papule measured 1cm or less!

Is it a reliable result, considering how he did it. Can an expired syringe and pressing the tuberculin injection site yield a false positive ? Has anyone else had a positive ppd test and what was the outcome ? Thank you in advance.

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Specializes in public health.

You can do another PPD at a different site. If the second one is negative then you are negative. If the second one is positive then you need to do a chest x-ray and probably quantiferon test.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

TB tests are not read until they are 48 hours old. So you have no idea if it is 'positive' or not yet. And there's a REASON why TB tests are administered by trained individuals. But you know that now, right?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Who prescribed this test? How do you just "decide" to have a colleague administer it?

As a previous poster states, it is too early for an accurate reading of the site. Furthermore, we cannot give you any type of advice or recommendation about what your symptoms may or may not reveal.

Only certified personnel are able to read your results.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Hello everybody!

I am a second year nursing student. Yesterday, I decided to have a PPD test done to me by my colleague. He took the right dose (0.1ml) in an insuline syringe (10 units). Unfortunately, after he had injected the tuberculin solution, I discovered that the syringe was expired! He disinfected the injection site and injected the solution in intradermal until the skin formed a papule. After he had finished he pressed it using a bit of cotton until the papule became larger. Today, I discovered that the site felt itchy and the papule measured 1cm or less!

Is it a reliable result, considering how he did it. Can an expired syringe and pressing the tuberculin injection site yield a false positive ? Has anyone else had a positive ppd test and what was the outcome ? Thank you in advance.

Syringes (empty) don't expire if properly kept in a sealed package. There used to sterility expiration dates but not any longer for most items only packaged date.

Why did you "decide" to have a "friend" give you a TB test? It's a medical procedure ordered by a licensed provider completed by protocol not a practice test.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Two issues of concern here.

First of all, even though it does produce a lot of anxiety, many of us have "converted" at some point after a TB exposure - without any negative impact on our careers. I converted in my 3rd year of practice... did the prophylaxis thing & have had no further issues other than the fact that I have to do CXR rather than PPD now.

Second - unauthorized administration of pharmaceuticals.... sheesh. This is an absolute NO GO, Essentially, taking a substance that was not authorized for you is a medication 'diversion'. Just because the substance was not a narcotic does not make the actions any different. Sooo wrong.

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OP, don't play with needles!

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

You need to pose all of the questions to a qualified healthcare provider. Please contact your PCP for the medical advice you require.

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