Free NCLEX-RN® Nursing Sample Questions

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Your First Free NCLEX Question

What angle of insertion will the nurse use to administer a tuberculin skin test?

1. 15 degrees
2. 25 degrees
3. 45 degrees
4. 90 degrees

The Answer and Explanation

Did you get it right? The correct answer is: 1

Parenteral routes of drug administration are used when rapid onset of medication is needed, or when patients cannot take oral medications due to swallowing concerns, restriction of oral fluids, or vomiting. Administration techniques for injected medication is determined by where the drug must reach within the body to perform its intended purpose. Subcutaneous injections are placed just below the skin; intramuscular injections are placed within the muscle; and intradermal injections are placed into the dermis just under the epidermis. For a tuberculin skin test, an intradermal injection needs to be placed into the dermis just under the epidermis; therefore, the nurse will prepare to insert the needle at a 15-degree angle.

Incorrect Answer Explanations

Answer 2: Inserting a needle at 25 degrees is inappropriate for intradermal injection. This position is too great to allow the placement of medication to be inserted in to the dermis just below the epidermis.

Answer 3: Inserting a needle at 45 degrees is inappropriate for intradermal injection. This position is too great to allow the placement of medication to be inserted in to the dermis just below the epidermis.

Answer 4: Inserting a needle at 90 degrees is inappropriate for intradermal injection. This position is too great to allow the placement of medication to be inserted in to the dermis just below the epidermis.

Bottom Line

For a tuberculin skin test, an intradermal injection needs to be placed into the dermis just under the epidermis; the nurse will prepare to insert the needle at a 15-degree angle.

For more information, see:

• Perry, A., Potter, P., & Ostendorf, W. (2018). Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques (9th ed.). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier. (Chapter 22, Parenteral Medications, p. 577).
• Tuberculin skin test: Drug information. (2019). In: UpToDate.

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