Wisconsin Nursing Home Administrators (NHA) Practice Exam

Within how many days prior to employment must employees be screened for TB?

1. 30 days

2. 60 days

3. 90 days

4. 120 days

The correct answer is: 90 days

Employees must be screened for tuberculosis within 90 days prior to employment to ensure they are not carrying the disease and potentially spreading it within the healthcare setting. This timeframe allows for an up-to-date assessment of the employee's health status regarding TB before they begin working in a nursing home environment, where they may come into contact with vulnerable residents. It is essential to prioritize resident safety and infection control by requiring this screening within a reasonable timeframe before employment begins. Option A is incorrect because 30 days may not be a sufficient timeframe to ensure an accurate assessment of the employee's TB status before they start working in a healthcare setting. Option B is incorrect as 60 days may also not allow for an adequate buffer to identify and address any potential TB concerns before the employee begins their duties in a nursing home. Option D is incorrect because waiting 120 days prior to employment for a TB screening could pose unnecessary risks of potential TB transmission within the nursing home environment if the employee is unknowingly carrying the disease.