The nurse working on the pulmonary unit is asked to obtain an acid-fas

The nurse working on the pulmonary unit is asked to obtain an acid-fast bacillus (AFB) sputum specimen from a client. The nurse knows that this test is used to screen for:

1. Cancer
2. Tuberculosis (TB)
3. Cystic fibrosis
4. Histoplasmosis

ANSWER

ANS: 2
The test is used to screen for the presence of AFB for detection of TB by early morning speci-mens on 3 consecutive days. Cancer would be tested by a sputum specimen for cytologic exami-nation. Cystic fibrosis and histoplasmosis are not screened for through sputum tests.