Chest xray or TB test. Which one should I do for a prereq to nursing school?
I know that the TB tests have fillers in them and it doesnt just go under the skin. But then a chest xray is dangerous too.
What should I do?
I know that the TB tests have fillers in them and it doesnt just go under the skin. But then a chest xray is dangerous too.
What should I do?
Both are important. Chest X-ray doesn’t only mean that is for diagnosing a TB but will see how healthy is your lung and any other problems regarding that system. TB test is just a test for exposure. X-ray is not really that dangerous if you will take them one a year. It depends on what the school requires then.
Chest x-rays aren’t "dangerous" unless you get an insane number of them. If your TB test shows a false positive, you will need the x-ray anyway.
A PPD (aka TB Test) is really not that bad. In fact, if you’re going to be a nurse, get used to getting it done A LOT. Any time you switch jobs, you’ll be retested. If you are exposed to TB, you’ll be retested.
If you have never had a positive TB test, then you will be required to do this test. An X-Ray is only used if you have had a positive test in the past, or you are allergic to the TB testing medication. I’ve had several done, and as much as I hate them, and I myself WISH there was another way to go about it, it’s a simple fact that you will have to be injected. I’ve had no side effects of any kind (and with an allergy list as long as mine, that’s remarkable).
As far as the administration of the ‘drug’, it is just a little intradermal injection that results in a little raised area called a ‘Bleb’. And you are correct, its not going to just stay at the skin. You’re body is going to attack it with you’re immune system to say, "HEY, what do you think you’re doing here?" If you have TB or have been exposed VERY recently you will will have a positive result, in which case, you’ll get a chest X-Ray to rule out a ‘false positive’, positive, or allergy.