The clinic nurse notes that the physician has documented a diagnosis of herpes zoster (shingles) in the male client’s chart. Based on an understanding of the cause of this disorder, the nurse determines that this definitive diagnosis was made following which diagnostic test?
A. Patch test
B. Skin biopsy
C. Culture of the lesion
D. Woo’s light examination
Correct Answer: C. Culture of the lesion
With the classic presentation of herpes zoster, the clinical examination is diagnostic. A viral culture of the lesion provides a definitive diagnosis. Herpes zoster (shingles) is caused by a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that causes chickenpox.
Option A: A patch test is a skin test that involves the administration of an allergen to the surface of the skin to identify specific allergies.
Option B: A biopsy would provide a cytological examination of tissue.
Option D: In a Wood’s light examination, the skin is viewed under ultraviolet light to identify superficial infections of the skin.
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