postive TB skin test

[Ms.RN]

my patient was transferred to out ltc facility from the hospital and we gave tb test to this patient and read the result in 3 days. he had 10mm of induration. currently he is in a two bed room, he has one roommate. he had a chest x-ray done a week before at the hospital before he was transferred and his x-ray shows infiltration. so my question is what does x-ray show if patient actually have tb? is tb actually confirmed with positive sputum culture? do you think his chest x-ray from a week before is enough or do you think he need to be in private room?

[aeauooo]

http://www.cdc.gov/tb/faqs/default.htm

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

Why did he get a TB test in the first place? If he was initially a r/o TB he should have been placed in neg pressure room, w/sputum for AFB sent, the CXR should differentiate old v. active TB and if he had prev TB or HCG vaccine in another country he should not have had a TB test placed... just some random thoughts

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Why did he get a TB test in the first place?

It is common practice to screen newly-admitted LTCF patients for TB during the admission process, either with a PPD or a CXR. Failure to screen new admits in the nursing home setting for TB will result in hefty tags from the state.