NBCSN Nationally Certified School Nurse Practice Exam

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What does a positive Mantoux test indicate?

Presence of active TB disease

Exposure to TB

A positive Mantoux test indicates exposure to tuberculosis (TB) bacteria. The test, which involves injecting a small amount of purified protein derivative (PPD) into the skin, assesses the immune response to proteins associated with TB. When someone has been exposed to the bacteria, their immune system reacts by causing localized swelling and redness, which can be measured after 48 to 72 hours.

While a positive result suggests exposure, it does not confirm active TB disease. Additional evaluations, such as a chest X-ray and possibly sputum tests, would be necessary to determine whether an individual has developed the active disease. It’s also important to note that a positive Mantoux test does not indicate that a person has an immediate infection, nor does it suggest that the individual has been cured of TB, as those outcomes require different assessments and medical evaluations.

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Immediate infection

A cure for TB

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