Question

A patient undergoing a skin test has been intradermally injected with a disease-specific antigen on the inner forearm. The patient becomes anxious because the area begins to swell. Which of the following may be used to decrease anxiety in this patient?a) Advise the patient to use prescribed analgesicsb) Apply ice packs to reduce the swellingc) Gently rub the swollen area to accelerate the blood flowd) Assure the patient that this is a normal reaction

Answer 1

Answer: d) Assure the patient that this is a normal reaction

Explanation:

In the intradermal method of skin test the antigen or any test fluid is injected into the dermis with the help of syringe or needle. The patient may show anxiety as the skin may show swelling or other physical features.

The patient should be assured that this is not going to harm in anyway and the must be aware of the fact that the procedure does not have a long term impact over the body. The swelling will disappeared after sometime.