Quiz: Allergy testing in primary care

Source document: best tests December 2011
Closes 27th January 2012, Late submissions may not receive personalised feedback
1 For an allergy to be considered a “true allergy”, which two factors need to be present?
A history of atopy
Development of specific signs and symptoms on exposure to that allergen
Development of pruritus on exposure to that allergen
The presence of allergen-specific IgE
2 Which of the following statements about skin prick testing are true?
A positive skin test is diagnostic of an allergy, even if there is no clinical reaction after exposure to the allergen
The size of the wheal predicts the likely severity of the symptoms of allergic reaction
A wheal ≥ 3 mm more than the negative control is considered a positive result
A late phase cutaneous reaction has no value in regards to diagnosing allergy
3 Which of the following medicines may interfere with skin prick testing results?
Citalopram
Loratadine
Prednisone (topical)
Beclomethasone (inhaled)
4 Which of the following are indications for skin prick testing?
If major allergen avoidance measures, such as removal of the family pet, are being considered
If a patient has significant asthma, exacerbated by a possible allergen
If a patient has acute urticaria and angioedema after ingesting certain foods
If allergy is suspected in a woman who is pregnant
5 Which of the following are indications for serum allergen-specific IgE testing?
If a patient has dermographism
If a patient has significant asthma
If a patient is unable to discontinue antihistamine medicine
If skin prick testing is negative but the history strongly suggests a reaction to a specific allergen
6 Which of the following symptoms are characteristic of an IgE mediated food allergy?
Acute angioedema
Gastro-oesophageal reflux
Atopic eczema
Nasal itching
7 Which of the following statements about testing for food allergy in children are true?
Food allergy testing may be considered for children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, thought to be related to a food
A food elimination challenge is usually the preferred method for diagnosing a food allergy in a child
Skin prick testing is usually the preferred method for diagnosing a food allergy in a child
Most children with a peanut allergy confirmed by testing, will eventually tolerate peanuts over time
8 Which of the following statements about testing for other allergies are true?
Skin prick testing for selected pollen allergens is recommended for all people with seasonal allergic rhinitis
Skin prick testing is recommended for all people who have had a systemic allergic reaction to a bee sting and are considering immunotherapy
Serum allergen-specific IgE testing is recommended for all people with a suspected penicillin allergy
Patch testing is the recommended test for investigating allergic contact dermatitis