TB Skin Test Question

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

I gave TB skin tests to the health occupations students here at the high school two days ago. Everything went well- no one freaked, got picture perfect blebs on each injection.

When I go back to check today for reactions, over half of the kids had a bruise in that area.

What gives? I don't ever remember getting a bruise before.

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I had a bruise, I recently took mines 2 weeks ago. The nurse said if your from the Caribbean you will have a bruise or it swell up. Most students opt for the chest xray instead---if the are from Carib decent.

Dont worry you did nothing wrong.

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.
I had a bruise, I recently took mines 2 weeks ago. The nurse said if your from the Caribbean you will have a bruise or it swell up. Most students opt for the chest xray instead---if the are from Carib decent.

Dont worry you did nothing wrong.

I wonder if those with Carribean descent have received the bcg (I think that's what it is called) vaccine?

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Actually, the BCG should only cause you to have a positive PPD which would require a chest x-ray or QFTG... I've never heard of bruising before!!

For a physical once, the stupid nurse (seriously, if you don't care about people, DON'T be a nurse) stuck the needle into my muscle when she drew blood and I started to bruise really bad in the area within 5 minutes. It was so scary!! The area of about 2 inches was almost black the next day, and it didn't go away for weeks.

I should have sued her to get the money to fund my education and take her job. Healthcare is exactly that, and I just can't imagine messing with someone's body if you don't know or care about what you're doing.

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.
Actually, the BCG should only cause you to have a positive PPD which would require a chest x-ray or QFTG... I've never heard of bruising before!!

For a physical once, the stupid nurse (seriously, if you don't care about people, DON'T be a nurse) stuck the needle into my muscle when she drew blood and I started to bruise really bad in the area within 5 minutes. It was so scary!! The area of about 2 inches was almost black the next day, and it didn't go away for weeks.

I should have sued her to get the money to fund my education and take her job. Healthcare is exactly that, and I just can't imagine messing with someone's body if you don't know or care about what you're doing.

Oh, that's scary! That's the thing that confuses me- I think my technique was great. I was proud. :lol2: Textbook bleb.

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Specializes in Emergency.

well students, especially female students are notoriously anemic which could have caused them to bruise. i've never had a large bruise or anything, but i've had small discolorations before....barely larger than the bleb itself. if you got your little bleb then you know you didn't go too deep. i wouldn't worry about it. you gotta remember that even though it's just under the skin's surface, it's still "trauma" to the area and it's going to react. it's just not always visible. unless you had them complaining of real deep bruise-like pain i wouldn't worry about it.

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What sized needle was she using for HEAVENS sake! That is awful but as a nurse I vow to never use the word sue- as I am a very competent nurse and compassionate. However, I know that someday someone can view something very bening as a law suite and that will cost me dearly. I hop eyour muscle healed.

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I work in Public Health and a big part of my job is placing the employee TB tests. Everyone is different-some people...to say it plainly bruise easily. It really is that simple. Don't worry about it- you said that you got the placement correctly- which makes it a good test- I'm sure you did great.

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