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Introduction ⬇

Mumps, the common disease that produces swelling and tenderness of the parotid glands, is caused by a myxovirus.

An antigen made from infected monkeys or chickens is injected intradermally. A positive mumps skin test may indicate either a previous infection or an existing infection; therefore, it is not very effective as a diagnostic tool. The test is used primarily as part of a battery of skin tests to determine immunocompetence.

  1. Read the test 48 hours after the time of injection.

  2. Positive reaction: erythema and a lesion more than 10 mm in diameter.

  3. Negative reaction: no erythema and a lesion less than 10 mm in diameter.

Procedure ⬆ ⬇

  1. Observe standard precautions.

  2. Assess for allergy to eggs before injecting antigen. Persons who are allergic to eggs are at risk for an anaphylactic reaction to mumps antigen.

  3. Inject mumps antigen intradermally.

Clinical Implications ⬆ ⬇

  1. A positive reaction indicates resistance to the mumps virus.

  2. A negative reaction indicates susceptibility to mumps virus.

Interventions ⬆ ⬇

Pretest Patient Care

  1. Explain purpose of and procedure for skin test.

  2. Follow guidelines in Chapter 1 for safe, effective, informed pretest care.

Clinical Alert

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends mumps vaccination as follows: the first dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine should be given at ages 12–15 months, followed by a second dose at ages 4–6 years. The ACIP also recommends two doses of MMR for students attending college and other post–high school institutions. Unvaccinated healthcare workers born before 1957 should have one dose of a live mumps virus vaccine, whereas healthcare workers born after 1957 should have two doses (minimum interval of 28 days between doses).

Posttest Patient Care

  1. Review test results regarding immunocompetence; report and record findings. Modify the nursing care plan as needed.

  2. Follow guidelines in Chapter 1 for safe, effective, informed posttest care.

Reference Values ⬆

Normal

Reaction negative or not significant