Chapter 56: Management of Patients with Dermatologic Disorders

While examining a client's leg, a nurse notes an open ulceration with visible granulation tissue in the wound. Until a wound specialist can be contacted, which type of dressing should the nurse apply?

Moist sterile saline gauze

While in a skilled nursing facility, a client contracts scabies, which is diagnosed the day after discharge. The client is living at her daughter's home with six other people. During her visit to the clinic, the client asks a staff nurse, "What should my family do?" The most accurate response from the nurse is:

"All family members need to be treated."

A dermatologist recommends an over-the-counter suspension to relieve pruritus. The nurse advises the patient that the lotion should be applied:

Every 3 to 4 hours for sustained effectiveness.

A client comes to the physician's office for treatment of severe sunburn. The nurse takes this opportunity to discuss the importance of protecting the skin from the sun's damaging rays. What is the appropriate teaching by the nurse to prevent skin damage?

"Apply sunscreen even on overcast days."

A client has been diagnosed with shingles. Which of the following medication classifications will reduce the severity and prevent development of new lesions?

Antiviral

A nurse is examining a client's scalp for evidence of lice. The nurse should pay particular attention to which part of the scalp?

Behind the ears

The nurse is working with community groups. At which of the following locations would the nurse anticipate a possible scabies outbreak?

College dormitory

Which term refers most precisely to a localized skin infection of a single hair follicle?

Furuncle

When writing a plan of care for a client with psoriasis, the nurse would know that an appropriate nursing diagnosis for this client would be what?

Impaired Skin Integrity Related to Scaly Lesions

A patient is being evaluated for nodular cystic acne. What systemic pharmacologic agent may be prescribed for the treatment of this disorder?

Isotretinoin (Accutane)

The nurse assesses the client and observes reddish-purple to dark blue macules, plaques, and nodules. The nurse recognizes that these manifestations are associated with which condition?

Kaposi sarcoma

A nurse is admitting a client with toxic epidermal necrolysis. What is the nursing priority in preventing sepsis?

Preventing infection

A night-shift nurse receives a call from the emergency department about a client with herpes zoster who is going to be admitted to the floor. Based on this diagnosis, where should the nurse assign the client?

Private room

A nurse assesses a client with dry, rough, scaly skin without lesions on the legs. The client reports itching in the affected area. What skin assessment would the nurse document?

Pruritus

A 10-year-old child is brought to the office with complaints of severe itching in both hands that's especially annoying at night. On inspection, the nurse notes gray-brown burrows with epidermal curved ridges and follicular papules. The physician performs a lesion scraping to assess this condition. Based on the signs and symptoms, what diagnosis should the nurse expect?

Scabies

A client is coming to the office to have a growth removed by the doctor. The client asks "What does cryosurgery do to the growth?" What is the correct response?

Through the application of extreme cold, the tissue is destroyed.

Which of the following superficial fungal infections begins in the skin between the toes and spreads to the soles of the feet?

Tinea pedis

A client recently received lip and tongue piercings and subsequently developed a superinfection of candidiasis from the antibacterial mouthwash. What would the nurse recommend for this client?

Use an antifungal mouthwash or salt water.

The nurse is instructing the parents of a child with head lice. Which statement should the nurse include?

Use shampoo with piperonyl butoxide.

A client visits the physician's office for treatment of a skin disorder. As a primary treatment, the nurse expects the physician to order:

a topical agent.

The classic lesions of impetigo manifest as

honey-yellow crusted lesions on an erythematous base.

A client with a history of diabetes mellitus has recently developed furunculosis. What is causing the client's condition?

infection

Which is not a category of medications used for treatment of the skin?

inhaled steroids

The nurse notes that the client's lower extremities are covered with very dry skin and that the horny layer of the skin has become thickened. The nurse notes the finding as

lichenification.