We had our first exam today

[ihalterman]

I scored 48/50. One of the questions bugs me.

Q:You have been told that you must get your annual purified protein derivative (PPD) test for tuberculosis (TB). As a knowledgeable EMT, you recognize that the PPD will:

My A : Reveal if you have active tuberculosis


Correct A: Determine if you have been exposed to TB.

I think my answer is a "More true" statement. A TB test cannot determine if you have been exposed to TB. It can only tell if you have TB. Correct?

 

[CAOX3]

A positive TB test does not mean you have active TB, it means you have been exposed and carry the antibodies.

Active TB will be determined by chest xray.

 

[Porkchop]

There is a difference between having TB and having active TB. If I remember correctly, the only(or maybe just best) way to determine if you have active TB is a chest x-ray. The PPD just determines if you have been exposed. If you are positive, they will tell you to get a chest x-ray.

I'm sure I could have explained all that better, but does that make sense?

Oh, and good job on the test. Keep it up.

Edit: Dang, got beat to it.

 

[rescue99]

I scored 48/50. One of the questions bugs me.

Q:You have been told that you must get your annual purified protein derivative (PPD) test for tuberculosis (TB). As a knowledgeable EMT, you recognize that the PPD will:

My A : Reveal if you have active tuberculosis


Correct A: Determine if you have been exposed to TB.

I think my answer is a "More true" statement. A TB test cannot determine if you have been exposed to TB. It can only tell if you have TB. Correct?

Nope, yer incorrect. PPD only tests for exposure.

 

[ihalterman]

I reread the chapter and, yeah, I was wrong. THanks for the replies

 

[JPINFV]

Nope, yer incorrect. PPD only tests for exposure.

Err... not really correct either. Purified protein derivative (PPD) tests for a memory B-cell response to TB proteins. So if you've received the vaccine (rare in the US), then you'll produce a response. Similarly, someone who has TB or has been exposed to TB and is immunocompromised might not have a reaction.

If you are positive, they will tell you to get a chest x-ray.

An important caveat is that once you test positive, you might as well skip the PPD test and go straight to x-ray.