Influenza

Influenza ( 16 Questions)

A client is experiencing symptoms of influenza and seeks medical advice. The healthcare provider orders a rapid antigen test to confirm the diagnosis. What should the nurse inform the client about this test?


Correct Answer: D

Choice A rationale:

The rapid antigen test for influenza generally has high specificity but low sensitivity. It means that the test is relatively good at correctly identifying people without influenza (true negatives) but may miss some true positive cases, leading to false-negative results.

Choice B rationale:

The rapid antigen test does not detect influenza viruses in blood samples; it is designed to detect the virus in respiratory secretions, such as nasal swabs. The results are available within minutes, not hours.

Choice C rationale:

The rapid antigen test provides quick results, usually within 15-30 minutes, and is not a prolonged waiting period like 3 to 10 days.

Choice D rationale:

The nurse should inform the client that the rapid antigen test is not suitable for confirming the diagnosis of influenza. While it can quickly identify some cases of influenza, it is not as reliable as other diagnostic methods like molecular tests (PCR) for confirming influenza. False-negative results are more likely with rapid antigen tests, and negative results may need to be confirmed with more sensitive tests if symptoms persist.




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