PHARMACOLOGY CHAPTER 56: Dermatologic Drugs

The nurse is instructing a parent on the use of lindane shampoo for treatment of a child's head lice. Which statement by the parent indicates a need for further education? A. "I will wash his hair, then rinse out the shampoo immediately." B. "I will leave the shampoo on his hair for 4 minutes before rinsing." C. "After shampooing, I will rinse and dry his hair." D. "When the hair is dry, I will comb the hair to remove the nits."

A. "I will wash his hair, then rinse out the shampoo immediately."

When the nurse is providing wound care with Dakin's solution for a patient who has a stage III pressure ulcer, the patient exclaims, "I smell bleach! Why are you putting bleach on me?" The nurse's best explaination is: A. "This is a very dilute solution and acts to reduce the bacteria in the wound so that it can heal." B. "This solution is used instead of medication to promote wound healing." C. "This solution is used to dissolve the dead tissue in your wound." D. "Don't worry. We would never use bleach on a patient!" A. "This is a very dilute solution and acts to reduce the bacteria in the wound so that it can heal."

A. "This is a very dilute solution and acts to reduce the bacteria in the wound so that it can heal."

A patient who is prescribed the drug miconazole (Monistat), a topical antifungal, has most likely been diagnosed with which condition? A. Candidiasis B. Pruritus C. Eczema D. Folliculitis

A. Candidiasis Miconazole is used in the treatment of candidiasis, which is commonly known as a yeast infection.

Isotretinoin (Amnesteem) and tretinoin (Retin-A) are common dermatologic drugs used to treat A. acne. B. male pattern baldness. C. keloid scarring. D. fungal infections.

A. acne. Isotretinoin and tretinoin are effective topical treatments for acne vulgaris. Isotretinoin inhibits sebaceous gland activity, and tretinoin stimulates the turnover of epidermal cells, resulting in skin peeling.

A patient is being seen for acne issues. The nurse is discussing use of various topical drugs. Which drugs are used in the treatment of acne? (Select all that apply.) A. benzoyl peroxide B. clindamycin C. isotretinoin D. vitamin A acid E. norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol

A. benzoyl peroxide B. clindamycin D. vitamin A acid Benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and vitamin A acid are available in topical treatment options for acne. Isotrentinoin is only an oral option. Acne vulgaris is an off-label use for the oral contraceptive norethindrone and ethinyl estrdiol (Ortho-Novum).

The nurse will anticipate application of which medication to treat a patient diagnosed with impetigo? A. mupirocin (Bactroban) B. benzoyl peroxide C. isotretinoin (Amnesteem) D. retinoic acid (Renova)

A. mupirocin (Bactroban) Impetigo is a skin disorder caused by bacteria and is treated with a topical antibacterial agent, mupirocin.

When the nurse is teaching a patient about the mechanism of action of tretinoin, which statement by the nurse is correct? A. "This medication acts by killing the bacteria that cause acne." B. "This medication actually causes skin peeling." C. "This medication acts by protecting your skin from UV sunlight." D. "This medication has anti inflammatory actions."

B. "This medication actually causes skin peeling."

A patient is prescribed bacitracin topical ointment. What does the nurse suspect as the possible diagnosis based on the medication prescribed? A. Fungal infection B. Bacterial infection C. Parasitic infection D. Viral infection

B. Bacterial infection Bacitracin is a polypeptide antibiotic that is applied topically for the treatment or prevention of local skin infections caused by susceptible aerobic and anaerobic gram-positive organisms such as staphylococci, streptococci, anaerobic cocci, corynebacteria, and clostridia.

The nurse is assessing the skin of a teenage patient who has been using a benzoyl peroxide product for 2 weeks as part of treatment for acne. Which assessment findings indicate that the patient is having an allergic reaction and will need to stop treatment? A. Reddened skin over the treatment area. B. Blistering skin over the treatment area. C. Peeling skin over the treatment area. D. Sensation of warmth when the product is applied.

B. Blistering skin over the treatment area.

The nurse is performing would care on a burned area using silver sulfadiazine cream in a patient with an arm wound. Which actions by the nurse are correct? A. Applying the cream over the previous layer to avoid disturbing the wound bed B. Gently cleansing the wound to remove the previous layer of cream and wound debris C. Using clean gloves to apply the ointment D. Using sterile gloves to apply the ointment E. Always covering the wound with a dressing after applying the cream F. Washing hands before and after the procedure

B. Gently cleansing the wound to remove the previous layer of cream and wound debris D. Using sterile gloves to apply the ointment F. Washing hands before and after the procedure

Parasympathomimetic ophthalmic drugs such as pilocarpine (Pilocar) reduce intraocular pressure in the treatment of glaucoma by which mechanism of action? A. Mydriasis B. Miosis C. Decrease in drainage of aqueous humor D. Pupillary dilatation

B. Miosis Pilocarpine is a direct-acting parasympathomimetic drug that is used as a miotic in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma. Miosis causes pupillary constriction, increasing the outflow of aqueous humor.

A teenage female patient is going to be prescribed isotretinoin (Amnesteem) for acne. Which information is most important for the nurse to include in the education of the patient? A. The drug is supplied in oral form. B. The patient must use at least two forms of contraception while taking this medication. C. The drug is used in treatment of severe acne. D. Providers who prescribe this medication must be registered with the FDA.

B. The patient must use at least two forms of contraception while taking this medication. The most important and mandatory teaching by the Food and Drug Administration is the requirement to use two different forms of contraception if the patient is female and of childbearing age.

The nurse is monitoring for an allergic reaction to topical bacitracin, which would be evident by presence of A. petechia. B. thickened skin. C. itching and burning. D. purulent drainage.

C. itching and burning.

When considering the variety of OTC topical corticosteroid products, the nurse is aware that which type of preparation is generally most penetrating and effective? A. Gel B. Lotion C. Spray D. Ointment

D. Ointment

A male patient has been ordered clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex-G) after a diagnosis of jock itch. What is the technical name the nurse would use to document the diagnosis on the chart and the reason the patient has been prescribed this medication? A. Tinea corporis B. Tinea capitis C. Tinea pedis D. Tinea cruris

D. Tinea cruris Infections caused by dermatophytes are called tinea, or ringworm, infections. Tinea infections are identified by the body location where they occur: tinea pedis (foot), tinea cruris (groin), tinea corporis (body), and tinea capitis (scalp). Tinea infections of the foot are also known as athlete's foot and those of the groin as jock itch.

When planning care for a burn patient, the nurse would anticipate applying which topical medication? A. erythromycin (E-Mycin) B. lindane C. minoxidil (Rogaine) D. silver sulfadiazine (Sulfadine)

D. silver sulfadiazine (Sulfadine) Silver sulfadiazine is a topical antiinfective drug used to treat and prevent infection in second- and third-degree burns.