Chapter 24: Nursing Care of the Child With an Integumentary Disorder (and alteration in tissue integrity)

The parents of a child diagnoses with atopic dermatitis ask the nurse, "My child has a skin disorder. I don't understand why a complete blood count (CBC) was ordered?" What is the appropriate response by the nurse?

"Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that are often elevated with atopic dermatitis. These are part of the CBC and helps in making the diagnosis." Atopic dermatitis is a type of allergic skin disorder, not a bacterial infection, in which the eosinophil count is often elevated. This is one test that will help in diagnosing the disorder.

The parents of an 8-year-old boy diagnosed with frostbite are distraught and state to the nurse, "We can't believe we didn't make our child come inside when he complained about his fingers being numb and hurting." How should the nurse respond?

"I can't imagine how you are feeling right now, but I'm sure you had no idea frostbite could happen. We will take good care of your son." The unintentional injury has already occurred so the nurse must be compassionate and supportive of the parents. The other options are judgmental and do not serve a purpose. Instruction can be given with teaching to prevent future incidents when the parents are ready for teaching.

The nurse is caring for an infant with diaper dermatitis. Which statement by the child's parent would indicate a need for further education?

"I will use rubber pants over the cloth diapers in the future." Prevention and management of diaper dermatitis includes avoiding rubber pants, avoiding diaper wipes with fragrance or preservatives. Treatment of a rash includes allowing the child to go diaperless for a period of time each day and using a warm blow dryer on the area for 3 to 5 minutes.

A child has an order for an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The child's mother asks what the purpose of the test is. What is the best response by the nurse?

"This test will tell if your child has an infection or inflammation somewhere in their body." Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a nonspecific test used to detect the presence of infection or inflammation.

The nurse is providing teaching on ways to maintain skin integrity and prevent infection for the parents of a boy with atopic dermatitis. Which response indicates a need for further teaching?

"We should avoid using petroleum jelly." It is important to apply moisture multiply times through the day. Petroleum jelly is a recommended moisturizer that is inexpensive and readily available.

A nurse providing teaching on ways to promote skin hydration for the parents of an infant with atopic dermatitis. Which response indicates a need for further teaching?

"We should bathe our child in hot water, twice a day." The nurse should emphasize that the parents should avoid hot water. The child should be bathed twice a day in warm water.

The nurse is caring for a 1-week-old child with a feeding intolerance. The mother expresses a concern with white scales that have began to flake off the infant's scalp and she asks the nurse what she can do to prevent this. What is the best nursing response?

"Your child most likely has infantile seborrheic dermatitis, or cradle cap. You can care for it by cleansing the hair and scalp daily with baby shampoo. You can also apply baby oil to the area for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse away the flakes." Infantile seborrheic dermatitis usually responds well to cleansing the scalp with a mild shampoo. The thick, scaling lesions on the child's scalp can be treated by applying baby oil, salicylic acid in mineral oil, or a corticosteroid gel on the scalp for 10 to 15 minutes. The area is gently massaged with a soft toothbrush; then the scales can be rinsed away. A fine-toothed comb helps rid the hair of scale debris. Antiseborrheic shampoo is not recommended for infants. Accusing a parent of poor hygiene is inappropriate. Infantile seborrheic dermatitis is not a result of poor hygiene

The nurse is caring for a child with suspected child abuse-induced burns. Which assessment findings would support this?

A burn to the entire right hand up to 2 cm above wrist with consistent edges A stocking/glove pattern on the hands or feet (circumferential ring appearing around the extremity, resulting from a caregiver forcefully holding the child under extremely hot water) is one sign is one sign of child abuse-induced burns. Inconsistent history given by caregivers, delay in seeking treatment by caregivers and a lack of splattering of water burns are all indicators of child abuse-induced burns.

The dermatologist treating a 16-year-old girl with a history of severe acne has ordered a pregnancy test so she can be started on a course of isotretinoin. The teen's caregiver has said that her daughter is a virgin and she refuses to allow her to have the required pregnancy testing. What would be the best action for the nurse to take?

Acknowledge the caregiver's discomfort about the pregnancy testing but encourage her to allow the daughter to have the testing so that she can use the medication. Isotretinoin is a pregnancy category X drug: It must not be used at all during pregnancy because of serious risk of fetal abnormalities. To rule out pregnancy, a urine test is done before beginning treatment. For the sexually active adolescent girl, an effective form of contraception must be used for a month before beginning and during isotretinoin therapy. The risk to the fetus, should pregnancy occur, should be discussed with the girl whether she is sexually active or not.

The nurse is caring for a child with burns in a pediatric hospital. What would be an appropriate nursing diagnosis for this client?

Acute pain related to thermal injuries and procedures Management of acute pain is crucial for the burn client

The camp nurse is caring for a child who was bitten on the leg by a dangerous spider. The child is being taken to a care provider. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to do with this child?

Apply ice to the affected area. Spider bites can cause serious illness if untreated. Bites of black widow spiders, brown recluse spiders, and scorpions demand medical attention. Applying ice to the affected area until medical care is obtained can slow absorption of the poison.

In working with infants diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, the nurse anticipates that when these children are older they will likely have a tendency to have which disorder?

Asthma Infants who have eczema tend to have allergic rhinitis or asthma later in life.

The nurse is caring for a child admitted with partial thickness burns. What is most characteristic of this type of burn?

Blisters appear In partial-thickness or second-degree burns, blistering usually occurs with an escape of body plasma.

The nurse is caring for a client brought to a pediatric clinic for swelling in the lower extremities with reddened skin that has undefined borders and pits slightly when pressed. What is the most likely diagnosis of the client's skin alteration?

Cellulitis Cellulitis is characterized by reddened or lilac-colored swollen skin that pits when pressed by the fingertips. Impetigo has superficial lesions that can be bulbous or nonbulbous. SSSS involves bullae that enlarge and rupture, leaving a red, scalded-looking lesion. Cat scratch disease involves a benign, subacute, chronic course of lymphadenopathy that usually resolves spontaneously in 2 to 3 months

An adolescent with tinea versicolor is admitted for treatment of the disorder. Which nursing diagnosis will the nurse identify as having the highest priority for this client?

Disturbed body image Tinea versicolor is a superficial tan or hypopigmented oval scaly lesions, especially on upper back and chest and proximal arms. It may take several months for pigmentation to return to normal; therefore, disturbed body image is going to be a high priority for an adolescent client.

Tinea is also called ringworm. The nurse knows that tinea is which type of infection?

Fungal infections Fungi that live in the outer (dead) layers of the skin, hair, and nails can develop into superficial infections. Tinea (ringworm) is the term commonly applied to these infections.

The nurse is presenting an in-service to a group of nurses who will be working in a dermatology clinic. One participant asks the nurse about a bacterial skin infection that she has seen in children. The nurse most likely referring to:

Impetigo. Impetigo is a superficial bacterial skin infection.

An 8-year-old child requires wet dressings four times a day as treatment for a skin disorder. What would be most important for the nurse to do?

Premedicate the child before changing the dressing. Premedicating the child before changing the dressing is crucial to providing atraumatic care

Which intervention is the most beneficial for a burn client undergoing a skin graft?

Provide around-the-clock pain medication as soon as pain is reported. When the child undergoes a procedure, such as skin grafting, that is known to produce prolonged pain, administer pain medication on a scheduled basis, rather than as needed once pain is reported. Around-the-clock pain medication will serve to diminish peaks and valleys in pain relief. Diversional activities and an egg-crate mattress are not effective treatments for severe pain

The nurse caring for a child with a skin allergy recognizes that the highest priority in the treatment for skin allergies is aimed at:

Reducing swelling and relieving itching Treatment for skin allergies is aimed at reducing the swelling and relieving the itching. With swelling in various parts of the body, the child may have pain, nausea and vomiting, but reducing the swelling would prevent those symptoms from occurring

The client is scheduled to have potassium hydroxide testing performed. What will be needed to complete this test?

Skin scrapings Potassium hydroxide (KOH) testing is done to assess for the presence of a fungal infection. Skin scrapings are placed on a microscope slide and a drop of KOH 20% drop is added.

The nurse is caring for a 7-year-old with burns. Which finding would be highly suggestive of a child abuse-induced burn?

Stocking-glove pattern on hands or feet A stocking-glove pattern on the hands or feet or a circumferential ring appearing around the extremity points to the caregiver forcefully holding the child under extremely hot water. A nonuniform pattern and splash or spattering patterns are not typical indicators of child abuse.

The nurse admits a child who has sustained a severe burn. The child's immunizations are up to date. Which immunization would the child most likely be given at this time?

Tetanus toxoid vaccine If inoculations are up to date, a booster dose of tetanus toxoid is required to protect the child from infection introduced into the burn.

The nurse is caring for an infant who has impetigo and is hospitalized. Which nursing intervention is the highest priority for this child?

The nurse follows contact precautions. Impetigo is highly contagious and can spread quickly. The nurse should follow contact (skin and wound) precautions, including wearing a cover gown and gloves. The nurse will soak the crusts with warm water, apply topical antibiotics, and apply elbow restraints, but these are not as high a priority as trying to prevent the spread of the infection by following contact precautions.

The nurse has completed client teaching with a 16-year-old female who has been prescribed Accutane (isotretinoin) for cystic acne. Which statements indicate learning has occurred?

• "If I am sexually active I need to let my doctor know." • "This is not a drug to be used for all forms of acne. My sister has minor acne so I told her this wasn't for her." • "It's important I get my CBC blood test when my doctor orders it." Accutane (isotretinoin) is a powerful medication used for severe forms of acne and cystic acne when other treatment methods are not effective. Sexual activity should be reported to the physician. Some physicians may order monthly pregnancy tests even if the client says she is not sexually active because of the risk of birth defects to a fetus. No matter what form of birth control is used, pregnancy is possible, so monthly pregnancy tests are still necessary. Liver function tests are important regardless of age because of the side effects of the medication. Any labs ordered, such as the CBC, by the physician to monitor the medication's side effects should be obtained

A 10-year-old has been bitten on the lower posterior arm by a dog, requiring several stitches. The child was just admitted to the hospital for 3 days of antibiotic therapy. When developing the care plan, the nurse identifies which nursing diagnoses as being the top 2 priorities?

• Impaired skin integrity • Risk for infection The wound was not a clean wound, such as a surgical wound, so risk for infection would be a top priority. The child has impaired skin integrity from the wound and from the IV. Since the wound is new and on the arm the nursing diagnosis disturbed body image would not be a top 2 priority at this time. It is unlikely that a great deal of fluid has been lost from this wound. Knowledge deficit of wound care would not be a top 2 priority at this time, but would be an important nursing diagnosis to address later.

The nurse is caring for a mom and her baby on a postpartum unit. The mom states she has received advice not to use baby powder on newborns. She asks the nurse if this is true, and if so, why. Which nurse response is correct?

"Baby powder should not be used on newborns due to the risk of aspiration upon application." The use of baby powder containing "talc" or known as "talcum powder" can cause accidental aspiration, pneumonia, and death. Aspiration is predominantly caused when the baby receives a "puff of smoke" when the powder is shaken from the container directly onto the baby's skin. In addition, the use of talcum powder is abrasive and is considered to contribute to the pathogenesis of diaper dermatitis

The nurse is caring for a child with an order for PO prednisone. Which statement by the child's mother would indicate a need for further education?

"I will give it to her at least 1 hour before all of her meals." Systemic corticosteroids such as prednisone should be administered with food to decrease GI upset. These medications may mask signs of infection. This medication may increase blood sugar levels. Corticosteroid doses should be tapered and should not be stopped abruptly.

The nurse is assessing a child who was brought into the clinic. The nurse notes honey-colored crusting on the toddler's face, as seen in the figure. The nurse recognizes this to be what type of infection?

Impetigo Impetigo is a readily recognizable skin rash that is characterized with honey-colored crusting. Nonbullous impetigo generally follows some type of skin trauma or may arise as a secondary bacterial infection of another skin disorder, such as atopic dermatitis. Bullous impetigo demonstrates a sporadic occurrence pattern and develops on intact skin, resulting from toxin production by S. aureus.

The nurse is conducting a physical examination of a boy with erythema multiforme. Which assessment finding should the nurse expect?

Lesions over the hands and feet, and extensor surfaces of the extremities with spread to the trunk Erythema multiforme typically manifests in lesions over the hands and feet, and extensor surfaces of the extremities with spread to the trunk. Thick or flaky/greasy yellow scales are signs of seborrhea. Silvery or yellow-white scale plaques and sharply demarcated borders define psoriasis. Superficial tan or hypopigmented oval-shaped scaly lesions specially on upper back and chest and proximal arms are indicative of tinea versicolor.

A nurse is caring for a child with tinea pedis. Which assessment finding should the nurse expect?

Red scaling rash on soles and between the toes Tinea pedis presents with red scaling rash on soles, and between the toes. Tinea capitis presents with patches of scaling in the scalp with central hair loss and the risk of kerion development (inflamed boggy mass filled with pustules). Tinea cruris presents with erythema, scaling, maceration in the inguinal creases and inner thighs

The nurse is caring for a child, weighing 100 pounds, on the burn unit who has partial-thickness burns on over 30% of the body. During the beginning shift assessment, which assessment finding is of most concern to the nurse?

Urine output of 15 mL per hour over the last 4 hours Fluid and electrolyte imbalance is a primary concern when caring for the client with burns. The urine output should be a minimum of 1 mL/kg/hour. The client weighs 45.5 kg, so output should equal approximately 45 mL/hour. Pain is a major concern, but the higher priority at this time is the decreased output. Refusal of one meal is not a higher priority. Weight gain of 0.9 kg over 2 days is not a concern at this time

The nursing diagnosis of risk for infection related to a disruption in the protective skin barrier is noted on a child's plan of care. Which action would be of greatest importance?

Using appropriate hand hygiene Hand hygiene would be the priority because the child's risk for infection is increased and hand hygiene is crucial to preventing the transmission of infectious organisms. Monitoring the child's temperature is important to evaluate for possible fever and infection, but this would not be the most important action. Although nutritional status can influence wound healing, urging adequate nutritional intake would not be the most important action. Although obtaining a culture provides information about the cause of an infection, the child is at risk for infection, so a culture would not provide any information about the risk.

The nurse is speaking with the mother of a child diagnosed with contact dermatitis from poison ivy. Which statement by the mother indicates a need for further education?

"As long as he takes a shower as soon as he gets inside, he shouldn't get this again." Prevention of contact dermatitis from poison ivy, oak or sumac, include wearing long pants and long sleeves on outings in the wood. If contact occurs, wash vigorously with soap and water within 10 minutes of contact. The plant's oil residue may be on clothes, pets, toys and other objects, so these must be washed well with soap and water. Ivy Block is the only preventative treatment approved by the US FDA. It is applied to the skin before exposure.

The nurse is caring for a 2-month-old in a pediatric clinic. The mom states she is going on vacation in Florida in a month and she is concerned about sunburn. She asks if it is okay to use a sunscreen lotion made for children. What is the correct nursing response?

"Sunscreen is not recommended until 6 months of age. Use light clothing and a hat to completely cover the child when in the sun." Do not use sunscreens on children younger than 6 months of age. Instead, use hats, bonnets, and light-colored clothes to shield the skin, and keep the infant away from direct exposure to the sun. Telling the mother not to take the infant to Florida is inappropriate.

An 8-month-old has been diagnosed with infantile eczema. At a follow-up appointment, the child's caregiver seems exhausted and angry. He explains that he has done all of the child's care because his wife is repulsed by the child's raw and uncomfortable appearance. What responses would be appropriate for the nurse to say to this caregiver?

"That's not an uncommon reaction, although it's hard on you and on your child." The family caregivers of the child with eczema are often frustrated and exhausted. Family caregivers may feel apprehensive or repulsed by this unsightly child. Support them in expressing their feelings and help them view this as a distressing but temporary skin condition. Although the caregiver can be assured that most cases of eczema clear up by the age of 2, this does little to relieve the present situation

The nurse is assessing a child who has had an open wound for the last 2 weeks with no signs of healing. The parents report they have been using over-the-counter antibiotic ointment with no signs of improvement. The child is active in football in the fall and the swim team in the winter. What disorder does the nurse suspect?

Community acquired MRSA Risk factors for community acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) are turf burns, towel sharing, participation in team sports, or attendance at day care or outdoor camps. The condition usually presents with a moderate to severe skin infection or with an infection that is not responding as expected to therapy. Impetigo is a readily recognizable skin rash infection. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome results from infection with S. aureus that produces a toxin, which then causes exfoliation, and it has abrupt onset. Folliculitis is an infection of a hair follicle

The nurse is planning an educational program on burn prevention at home. Which information should be included?

• Keep pot handles turned in on a stove. • Test bath water temperature before bathing children. • Teach children to "stop, drop and roll" if their clothes catch on fire. Burn prevention techniques include keeping hot water heater temperature set at 120 degrees F or lower, not 130 degrees or lower. Do not drink hot beverages while holding children. Other techniques include keeping pots on the inside of the stove with the handles turned in, testing bath water before bathing a child and teaching them to 'stop, drop and roll' if their clothes catch on fire.

The nurse is caring for a 2-year-old boy with a burn. What finding would warrant referral to a burn unit?

A chemical burn According to the American Burn Association, chemical burns warrant referral to a burn unit. A partial-thickness burn greater than 10% of the body surface area would warrant a referral to a burn unit. A superficial burn on the chest or hands does not warrant a referral to a burn unit. A first-degree burn would most likely be classified as a superficial burn, which would not warrant a referral to a burn unit.

The nurse is caring for a child brought to the emergency department by the parents. Upon assessment the physician suspects the child has been bitten by a spider. While obtaining the nursing history of the present condition, which statement by the parent will require clarification from the nurse?

"Since my child just has a rash around the area of the bite there is nothing to worry about." A rash does could be an indication of a systemic reaction and the child should be monitored closely for other signs of a systemic, or possible anaphylactic, reaction. Protective clothing for prevention of insect or spider bites, cleansing the wound to help with infection control, and ice for prevention of swelling are all effective actions.

The nurse is reviewing the integumentary system during a presentation to a group of nurses. Which statements made by the nurse is the most accurate regarding the integumentary system?

"The largest organ of the body helps regulate body temperature." The skin is the largest organ of the body. The skin helps regulate the body temperature by heating and cooling. The sebaceous and sweat glands are not fully functional until middle childhood. The major role of the skin is to protect the organs and structures of the body against bacteria, chemicals, and injury. Excretion in the form of perspiration is also a function of the skin glands, called the sweat glands. Sebaceous glands in the skin secrete oils to lubricate the skin and hair. The integumentary system is in place at birth, but the system is immature. A function of the respiratory system is to distribute oxygen to body cells.

The mother of a 4-year-old child with atopic dermatitis reports she is having difficulty keeping her child from scratching. What information can be provided by the nurse?

• "Keep your child's finger nails trimmed and filed." • "Distract your child with activities when you notice scratching." • "Keep a diary of triggers for a week to see what patterns your child has related to this problem." Itching is a chief concern with atopic dermatitis. Strategies should be employed to reduce scratching. Keeping the finger nails trimmed is helpful in preventing cuts to the skin and introducing bacteria to open wounds. Distracting the child with activities is helpful when they are experiencing sensations of itching. A small ball or stuffed animal can be used to focus attention to something else when the urge to scratch is present. A diary can be useful when trying to identify patterns of behavior related to triggers of this condition. Flannel sheets may be irritating and should be avoided.

When doing teaching with a group of caregivers of infants, the nurse is discussing the topic of diaper rash. The caregivers in the group make the following statements. Which statement is the most accurate related to the child with diaper rash.

"My child gets diaper rash if I wash her clothes in the same detergent we use for the family." Infants may have a sensitivity to some soaps or disposable diaper perfumes, and the use of strong laundry detergents without thorough rinsing can cause diaper rash. Diarrheal stools, prolonged exposure to wet or soiled diapers, use of plastic or rubber pants, infrequently changed disposable diapers, inadequate cleansing of the diaper area (especially after bowel movements), and yeast infections are also causative factors. Exposing the diaper area to the air helps clear up the dermatitis. The use of baby powder when diapering is discouraged because caked powder helps create an environment in which organisms thrive.

The nurse is assessing a child who pulled a boiling pot of soup off of the stove top. The child reports pain at a 9 on a scale of 0 to 10. The burn is red and edematous, and also shows areas of charred skin. The nurse is aware that these signs and symptoms are indicative of what kind of burn?

Full-thickness Full-thickness burns may be very painful or numb or pain-free in some areas. They appear red, edematous, leathery, dry, or waxy and may display peeling or charred skin.

The nurse is examining a child for indications of frostbite and notes blistering with erythema and edema. The nurse notes which degree of frostbite?

Second degree frostbite Second degree frostbite demonstrates blistering with erythema and edema. First degree frostbite results in superficial white plaques with surrounding erythema. In third degree frostbite, the nurse would note hemorrhagic blisters that would progress to tissue necrosis and sloughing when the fourth degree is reached.

A child has been diagnosed with impetigo and the nurse is performing discharge teaching to the parents. Which statements by the parents indicate that additional teaching is necessary?

• "Even though the lesions have crusted, the infection is contagious and our child should stay home from school." • "Antifungal medications should be administered as ordered by our physician." • "We should soak impetiginous lesions with cool compresses to remove crusts before applying topical medication." Though impetigo is considered a contagious disorder among vulnerable populations, removal from school or day care is not necessary unless the condition is widespread or actively weeping. Impetigo is a bacterial not a fungal infection, therefore antibiotics will be ordered. Soaking and removing crusts is necessary for the medication to penetrate the infection. Antibiotics should be spread out evenly so a constant level remains in the blood. Hand hygiene helps prevent spread of the infection

A nurse assessing a 6-month-old girl with an integumentary disorder. The nurse notes three virtually identically sized, round red circles with scaling that are symmetrically spaced on both of the girl's inner thighs. Which should the nurse ask the mother?

"Does she wear sleepers with metal snaps?" Small round red circles with scaling, symmetrically located on the girls' inner thighs point to nickel dermatitis that may occur from contact with jewelry, eyeglasses, belts, or clothing snaps. The nurse should inquire about any sleepers or clothing with metal snaps. The girl does not have a rash in her diaper area. It is unlikely that an infant this age would have her inner thighs exposed to a highly allergenic plant. Discussing family allergy history is important, but the nurse should first inquire about any clothing with metal that could have come into contact with the girl's skin when she displays a symmetrical rash.

The nurse is caring for a child who has a severe case of contact dermatitis following exposure to Toxicodendron radicans (poison ivy). The nurse adds the nursing diagnosis, "Knowledge deficit regarding disease process and care of the client," to the care plan. What nursing interventions should the nurse add to the care plan for this nursing diagnosis?

• Teach the client and parents that even contact with dormant plants or plants perceived to be dead may cause an allergic response. • Inform the client that itching is very common for contact dermatitis. • Notify the client and parents that the rash may last for 2 to 4 weeks. • Encourage the client to not scratch the skin since this can cause a secondary infection. To help prevent future contact, the nurse should teach the client to avoid live and dead poison ivy plants. The rash is extremely pruritic and may last for 2 to 4 weeks. Contact dermatitis is not contagious and does not spread either to other parts of the affected child's skin or to other people. The complication of a bacterial skin infection can occur from scratching

The nurse is caring for a child with urticaria. What is the priority action?

Assessing the child's airway and breathing and noting any wheezing or stridor Urticaria is a type I hypersensitivity reaction. Therefore, the priority nursing assessment is to carefully assess airway and breathing, as hypersensitivity reactions may affect respiratory status. A detailed history, skin inspection, and evaluation of the hives are other appropriate assessments, but determining respiratory status is the priority