The rapid infectious mononucleosis test is a diagnostic heterophile-antibody blood test used to detect whether the Epstein-Barr virus is present in the blood of a patient. The test is a valuable aid in the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis, commonly known as Mono, due to the fact that Epstein-Barr virus is the most common viral cause of the infection. Several types of rapid infectious mononucleosis tests are available, each with their own types of equipment and testing procedure. By design, each one of them is engineered to detect the presence of Epstein-Barr Virus-specific antibodies in the blood of a patient from a finger stick or from a whole blood sample. The test is quick and within minutes can determine if a patient has Epstein-Barr virus. A positive result can help the physician determine the best course of treatment, including monitoring symptoms and recommending isolation containment procedures.
You'll Learn
- Relevant medical terminology
- Correct pre-procedure techniques
- To identify the most appropriate site to perform a finger stick
- How to identify the signs of infectious mononucleosis
- Methods for collecting and processing a finger stick
- Methods for interpreting test results
- Correct documentation and post-procedure requirements
- And much more (see Content Details for more specific information)