Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

When is the best time to perform a scotch tape test for suspected enterobiasis?

1. In the evening after dinner

2. At night before bed

3. Early in the morning

4. It does not matter what time of the day the test is done

The correct answer is: Early in the morning

The best time to perform a scotch tape test for suspected enterobiasis is early in the morning. This timing is optimal because the test is designed to detect pinworms, which are most active at night. They often migrate out of the rectum to lay eggs around the anal area during the night and early morning hours. Collecting a sample at this time increases the likelihood of detecting the eggs, as it allows for their presence before any potential interference from daily activities or cleaning. Performing the test at other times of the day may reduce the chances of finding pinworm eggs, as the activity of the worms and their egg-laying behavior is targeted to the nighttime hours. The scotch tape test involves placing a sticky piece of tape against the perianal area to collect any eggs that are present and is best conducted when pinworm activity is expected to be highest. Thus, conducting the test early in the morning ensures the authenticity of results for suspected enterobiasis.