Integumentary dysfunciton

Which is usually the only symptom of pediculosis capitis (head lice)? a. Itching b. Vesicles c. Scalp rash d. Localized inflammatory response

ANS: A Itching is generally the only manifestation of pediculosis capitis (head lice). Diagnosis is made by observation of the white eggs (nits) on the hair shaft. Vesicles, scalp rash, and localized inflammatory response are not symptoms of head lice.

Herpes zoster is caused by the varicella virus and has an affinity for: a. sympathetic nerve fibers. b. parasympathetic nerve fibers. c. posterior root ganglia and posterior horn of the spinal cord. d. lateral and dorsal columns of the spinal cord.

ANS: C The herpes zoster virus has an affinity for posterior root ganglia, the posterior horn of the spinal cord, and skin. The zoster virus does not involve sympathetic or parasympathetic nerve fibers and the lateral and dorsal columns of the spinal cord.

The nurse is taking care of a 7-year-old child with herpes simplex virus (type 1 or 2). Which prescribed medication should the nurse expect to be included in the treatment plan? a. Corticosteroids b. Oral griseofulvin c. Oral antiviral agent d. Topical and/or systemic antibiotic

ANS: C Oral antiviral agents are effective for viral infections such as herpes simplex. Corticosteroids are not effective for viral infections. Griseofulvin is an antifungal agent and not effective for viral infections. Antibiotics are not effective in viral diseases.

The nurse is conducting a staff in-service on appearance of childhood skin conditions. Lymphangitis ("streaking") is frequently seen in which condition? a. Cellulitis b. Folliculitis c. Impetigo contagiosa d. Staphylococcal scalded skin

ANS: A Lymphangitis is frequently seen in cellulitis. If it is present, hospitalization is usually required for parenteral antibiotics. Lymphangitis is not associated with folliculitis, impetigo, or staphylococcal scalded skin.

The nurse should implement which prescribed treatment for a child with warts? a. Vaccination b. Local destruction c. Corticosteroids d. Specific antibiotic therapy

ANS: B Local destructive therapy individualized according to location, type, and number—including surgical removal, electrocautery, curettage, cryotherapy, caustic solutions, x-ray treatment, and laser therapies—is used. Vaccination is prophylaxis for warts and is not a treatment. Corticosteroids and specific antibiotic therapy are not effective in the treatment of warts.

The nurse is taking care of a 7-year-old child with a skin rash called a papule. Which clinical finding should the nurse expect to assess with this type of skin rash? a. A lesion that is elevated, palpable, firm and circumscribed; less than 1 cm in diameter b. A lesion that is elevated, flat-topped, firm, rough and superficial; greater than 1 cm in diameter c. An elevated lesion, firm, circumscribed, palpable; 1 to 2 cm in diameter d. An elevated lesion, circumscribed, filled with serous fluid; less than 1 cm in diameter

ANS: A A papule is elevated; palpable; firm; circumscribed; less than 1 cm in diameter; and brown, red, pink, tan, or bluish red. A plaque is an elevated, flat-topped, firm, rough, superficial papule greater than 1 cm in diameter. It may be coalesced papules. A nodule is elevated, 1 to 2 cm in diameter, firm, circumscribed, palpable, and deeper in the dermis than a papule. A vesicle is elevated, circumscribed, superficial, less than 1 cm in diameter, and filled with serous fluid.

The nurse is teaching a class on preventing diaper rash in newborns to a group of new parents. Which statement made by a parent indicates a correct understanding of the teaching? a. "I should cleanse my infant's skin with a commercial diaper wipe every time I change the diaper." b. "If my infant's buttocks become slightly red, I will expose the skin to air." c. "I should wash my infant's buttocks with soap before applying a thin layer of oil." d. "I will apply baby oil and powder to the creases in my infant's buttocks."

ANS: B Slightly irritated skin can be exposed to air, not heat, to dry completely. Overwashing or cleansing the skin every diaper change with commercial wipes should be avoided. The skin should be thoroughly dried after washing. Application of oil does not create an effective barrier. Baby powder should not be used because of the danger of aspiration.

Tretinoin (Retin-A) is a topical agent commonly used to treat acne. Nursing considerations with this drug should include: a. teaching to avoid use of sunscreen agents. b. applying generously to the skin. c. explaining that medication should not be applied until at least 20 to 30 minutes after washing. d. explaining that erythema and peeling are indications of toxicity.

ANS: C The medication should not be applied for at least 20 to 30 minutes after washing to decrease the burning sensation. The avoidance of sun and the use of sunscreen agents must be emphasized because sun exposure can result in severe sunburn. The agent should be applied sparingly to the skin. Erythema and peeling are common local manifestations

A mother calls the emergency department nurse because her child was stung by a scorpion. The nurse should recommend: a. administering an antihistamine. b. cleansing area with soap and water. c. keeping the child quiet and coming to the emergency department. d. removing the stinger and applying cool compresses.

ANS: C Venomous species of scorpions inject venom that contains hemolysins, endotheliolysins, and neurotoxins. The absorption of the venom is delayed by keeping the child quiet and the involved area in a dependent position. Antihistamines are not effective against scorpion venom. The wound will have intense local pain. Transport to the emergency department is indicated.

The nurse is teaching nursing students about childhood skin lesions. Which is an elevated, circumscribed skin lesion that is less than 1 cm in diameter and filled with serous fluid? a. Cyst b. Papule c. Pustule d. Vesicle

ANS: D A vesicle is elevated, circumscribed, superficial, less than 1 cm in diameter, and filled with serous fluid. A cyst is elevated, circumscribed, palpable, encapsulated, and filled with liquid or semisolid material. A papule is elevated; palpable; firm; circumscribed; less than 1 cm in diameter; and brown, red, pink, tan, or bluish red. A pustule is elevated, superficial, and similar to a vesicle but filled with purulent fluid.

The management of a child who has just been stung by a bee or wasp should include the application of: a. cool compresses. b. warm compresses. c. antibiotic cream. d. corticosteroid cream.

ANS: A Bee or wasp stings are initially treated by carefully removing stinger, cleansing with soap and water, applying cool compresses, and using common household agents such as lemon juice or a paste made with aspirin and baking soda. Warm compresses are avoided. Antibiotic cream is unnecessary unless a secondary infection occurs. Corticosteroid cream is not part of the initial therapy. If a severe reaction occurs, systemic corticosteroids may be indicated.

The nurse is caring for a 5-year-old child with impetigo contagiosa. The parents ask the nurse what will happen to their child's skin after the infection has subsided and healed. Which answer should the nurse give? a. There will be no scarring. b. There may be some pigmented spots. c. It is likely there will be some slightly depressed scars. d. There will be some atrophic white scars.

ANS: A Impetigo contagiosa tends to heal without scarring unless a secondary infection occurs.

When is isotretinoin (Accutane) indicated for the treatment of acne during adolescence? a. The acne has not responded to other treatments. b. The adolescent is or may become pregnant. c. The adolescent is unable to give up foods causing acne. d. Frequent washing with antibacterial soap has been unsuccessful.

ANS: A Isotretinoin is reserved for severe cystic acne that has not responded to other treatments. Isotretinoin has teratogenic effects and should never be used when there is a possibility of pregnancy. No correlation exists between foods and acne. Antibacterial soaps are ineffective. Frequent washing with antibacterial soap is not a recommended therapy for acne.

The nurse is caring for a school-age child with a tinea capitis (ringworm) infection. The nurse should expect that therapeutic management for this child includes: a. administering oral griseofulvin. b. administering topical or oral antibiotics. c. applying topical sulfonamides. d. applying Burow solution compresses to affected area.

ANS: A Treatment with the antifungal agent griseofulvin is part of the treatment for the fungal disease ringworm. Oral griseofulvin therapy frequently continues for weeks or months. Antibiotics, sulfonamides, and Burow solution are not effective in fungal infections.

Tinea capitis (ringworm), frequently found in schoolchildren, is caused by a(n): a. virus. b. fungus. c. allergic reaction. d. bacterial infection.

ANS: B Ringworm is caused by a group of closely related filamentous fungi that invade primarily the stratum corneum, hair, and nails. They are superficial infections that live on, not in, the skin. Virus and bacterial infection are not the causative organisms for ringworm. Ringworm is not an allergic response.

The nurse is taking care of a 2-year-old child with a macule skin lesion. Which clinical finding should the nurse expect to assess with this type of lesion? a. Flat, nonpalpable, and irregularly shaped lesion that is greater than 1 cm in diameter b. Heaped-up keratinized cells, flaky exfoliation, irregular, thick or thin, dry or oily, varied in size c. Flat, brown mole less than 1 cm in diameter d. Elevated, flat-topped, firm, rough, superficial papule greater than 1 cm in diameter

ANS: C A macule is flat; nonpalpable; circumscribed; less than 1 cm in diameter; and brown, red, purple, white, or tan. A patch is a flat, nonpalpable, and irregularly shaped macule that is greater than 1 cm in diameter. Scale is heaped-up keratinized cells, flaky exfoliation, irregular, thick or thin, dry or oily, varied in size, and silver white or tan. A plaque is an elevated, flat-topped, firm, rough, superficial papule greater than 1 cm in diameter. It may be coalesced papules.

Which nursing consideration is important when caring for a child with impetigo contagiosa? a. Apply topical corticosteroids to decrease inflammation. b. Carefully remove dressings so as not to dislodge undermined skin, crusts, and debris. c. Carefully wash hands and maintain cleanliness when caring for an infected child. d. Examine child under a Wood lamp for possible spread of lesions.

ANS: C A major nursing consideration related to bacterial skin infections, such as impetigo contagiosa, is to prevent the spread of the infection and complications. This is done by thorough hand washing before and after contact with the affected child. Corticosteroids are not indicated in bacterial infections. Dressings are usually not indicated. The undermined skin, crusts, and debris are carefully removed after softening with moist compresses. A Wood lamp is used to detect fluorescent materials in the skin and hair. It is used in certain disease states, such as tinea capitis.

he school nurse is conducting a class for school-age children on Lyme disease. Which is characteristic of Lyme disease? a. Difficult to prevent b. Treated with oral antibiotics in stages 1, 2, and 3 c. Caused by a spirochete that enters the skin through a tick bite d. Common in geographic areas where the soil contains the mycotic spores that cause the disease

ANS: C Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a spirochete spread by ticks. The early characteristic rash is erythema migrans. Tick bites should be avoided by entering tick-infested areas with caution. Light-colored clothing should be worn to identify ticks easily. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks should be the attire. Early treatment of the erythema migrans (stage 1) can prevent the development of Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete, not mycotic spores.

A child steps on a nail and sustains a puncture wound of the foot. Which is the most appropriate method for cleansing this wound? a. Wash wound thoroughly with chlorhexidine. b. Wash wound thoroughly with povidone-iodine. c. Soak foot in warm water and soap. d. Soak foot in solution of 50% hydrogen peroxide and 50% water.

ANS: C Puncture wounds should be cleansed by soaking the foot in warm water and soap. Chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, and povidone-iodine should not be used because they have a cytotoxic effect on healthy cells and minimal effect on controlling infection.

The nurse is taking care of a child with scabies. Which primary clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to assess with this disease? a. Edema b. Redness c. Pruritus d. Maceration

ANS: C Scabies is caused by the scabies mite. The inflammatory response and intense itching occur after the host has become sensitized to the mite. This occurs approximately 30 to 60 days after initial contact. Edema, redness, and maceration are not observed in scabies.

Nursing care of the infant with atopic dermatitis focuses on: a. feeding a variety of foods. b. keeping lesions dry. c. preventing infection. d. using fabric softener to avoid rough cloth.

ANS: C The eczematous lesions of atopic dermatitis are intensely pruritic. Scratching can lead to new lesions and secondary infection. The infant's nails should be kept short and clean and have no sharp edges. In periods of irritability, these children tend to have a decreased appetite. The restriction of hyperallergenic foods, such as milk, dairy products, peanuts, and eggs, may make adequate nutrition a challenge with these children. Wet soaks and compresses are used to keep the lesions moist and minimize the pruritus. Fabric softener should be avoided because of the irritant effects of some of its components.

Which prescribed treatment should the nurse plan to implement for a child with psoriasis? a. Antihistamines b. Oral antibiotics c. Topical application of calamine lotion d. Tar and exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet light

ANS: D Psoriasis is treated with tar preparations and exposure to ultraviolet B light or natural sunlight. Antihistamines, oral antibiotics, and topical application of calamine lotion are not effective in psoriasis.

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) in the infant is: a. easily cured. b. worse in humid climates. c. associated with upper respiratory tract infections. d. associated with allergy with a hereditary tendency.

ANS: D Atopic dermatitis is a type of pruritic eczema that usually begins during infancy and is associated with allergy with a hereditary tendency. Atopic dermatitis can be controlled but not cured. Manifestations of the disease are worse when environmental humidity is lower. Atopic dermatitis is not associated with respiratory tract infections.

The nurse should expect to assess which causative agent in a child with warts? a. Bacteria b. Fungus c. Parasite d. Virus

ANS: D Human warts are caused by the human papillomavirus. Infection with bacteria, fungus, and parasites does not result in warts.

A school-age child falls on the playground and has a small laceration on the forearm. The school nurse should do which to cleanse the wound? a. Slowly pour hydrogen peroxide over wound. b. Soak arm in warm water and soap for at least 30 minutes. c. Gently cleanse with sterile pad and a nonstinging povidone-iodine solution. d. Wash wound gently with mild soap and water for several minutes.

ANS: D Lacerations should be washed gently with mild soap and water or normal saline. A sterile pad is not necessary, and hydrogen peroxide and povidone-iodine should not be used because they have a cytotoxic effect on healthy cells and minimal effect on controlling infection. Soaking the arm will not effectively clean the wound.

Cellulitis is often caused by: a. herpes zoster. b. Candida albicans. c. human papillomavirus. d. Streptococcus or Staphylococcus organisms.

ANS: D Streptococci, staphylococci, and Haemophilus influenzae are the organisms usually responsible for cellulitis. Herpes zoster is the virus associated with varicella and shingles. C. albicans is associated with candidiasis, or thrush. Human papillomavirus is associated with various types of human warts.

The nurse is talking to the parents of a child with pediculosis capitis. Which should the nurse include when explaining how to manage pediculosis capitis? a. "You will need to cut the hair shorter if infestation and nits are severe." b. "You can distinguish viable from nonviable nits, and remove all viable ones." c. "You can wash all nits out of hair with a regular shampoo." d. "You will need to remove nits with an extra-fine tooth comb or tweezers."

ANS: D Treatment consists of the application of pediculicide and manual removal of nit cases. An extra-fine tooth comb facilitates manual removal. Parents should be cautioned against cutting the child's hair short; lice infest short hair as well as long. It increases the child's distress and serves as a continual reminder to peers who are prone to tease children with a different appearance. It is not possible to differentiate between viable and nonviable eggs. Regular shampoo is not effective; a pediculicide is necessary.

The nurse is examining 12-month-old Amy, who was brought to the clinic for persistent diaper rash. The nurse finds perianal inflammation with satellite lesions that cross the inguinal folds. This is most likely caused by: a. impetigo. b. Candida albicans. c. urine and feces. d. infrequent diapering. ANS: B

C. albicans infection produces perianal inflammation and a maculopapular rash with satellite lesions that may cross the inguinal folds. Impetigo is a bacterial infection that spreads peripherally in sharply marginated, irregular outlines. Eruptions involving the skin in contact with the diaper, but sparing the folds, are likely to be caused by chemical irritation, especially urine and feces.