A community health nurse is screening school-age children for tuberculosis using the Mantoux test. What is the primary clinical goal of this test?

Appeared in: PGIMER Nursing Officer - 2025

Explanation

The Mantoux test is a skin test used to screen for tuberculosis infection by detecting delayed hypersensitivity to tuberculin.
A positive result indicates TB infection (latent or active), but not necessarily active disease.
It is the standard tool for estimating TB infection prevalence in a population.
The test is not used for diagnosing HIV, liver function, or asthma.

Option B: The Mantoux test does not measure HIV viral load. HIV viral load is determined by PCR-based blood tests, not skin tests.
Option C: Liver enzyme levels are checked using blood tests (e.g., ALT, AST), not the Mantoux test.
Option D: Lung capacity for asthma is evaluated using spirometry or peak flow meters, not the Mantoux test.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Primary clinical goal of the Mantoux test in TB screening helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses use the Mantoux test to identify children at risk for TB and to guide further diagnostic steps or preventive therapy.
Early detection of TB infection helps prevent progression to active disease and community spread.
What if? If a child has a positive Mantoux test but no symptoms, further evaluation (e.g., chest X-ray, clinical assessment) is needed to rule out active TB before starting preventive therapy.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the clinical test mentioned (Mantoux test) and recall its primary use.
Eliminate options unrelated to TB or skin testing (HIV viral load, liver enzymes, asthma evaluation).
Focus on the population and setting (school-age children, community screening) to reinforce the screening context.
Remember that the Mantoux test detects TB infection, not active disease or other conditions.
Use process-of-elimination for distractors that do not fit the test's purpose.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Primary clinical goal of the Mantoux test in TB screening
Stem keywords: community health nurse, school-age children, tuberculosis, Mantoux test, screening
Lead-in keywords: primary clinical goal
Clinical cues: school-age children are a key group for TB screening

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 25-27

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 257-259

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1442-1444

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Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.