Word parts
What it means
Hardening of the skin or the tissue under it, often from swelling, inflammation or scarring. It can be felt around an infected wound, an injection site or an IV site. In a tuberculin skin testtoo-BER-kyoo-lin SKIN testA screening test in which a small amount of tuberculin protein is injected just under the skin of the forearm and the spot is checked days later.Full entry , the result is read by measuring the width of induration, the raised, firm area, not the redness.
For the nurse
Read a tuberculin skin test 48 to 72 hours after it is placed: feel for the firm edge and measure it across the forearm in millimeters.
Related terms
edema
Swelling caused by extra fluid trapped in the body's tissues.
erythema
Redness of the skin caused by more blood flowing in the small vessels near the surface.
tuberculin skin test
A screening test in which a small amount of tuberculin protein is injected just under the skin of the forearm and the spot is checked days later.