Integumentary problems
The nurse notes the presence of white lesions that resemble milk curds in the back of a patient's throat. Which question by the nurse is appropriate at this time?
A. "Are you taking any medications?"
The health care provider diagnoses impetigo in a patient who has crusty vesicopustular lesions on the lower face. Which instructions should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
A. Clean the infected areas with soap and water.
A patient in the dermatology clinic has a thin, scaly erythematous plaque on the right cheek. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Prepare the patient for a skin biopsy.
The nurse working in the dermatology clinic assesses a young adult female patient who has. severe cystic acne. Which assessment finding is of concern related to the patient's prescribed isotretinoin ?
A. The patient recently had an intrauterine device removed.
A patient with atopic dermatitis has been using a high-potency topical corticosteroid ointment for several weeks. The nurse should assess for which adverse effect?
A. Thinning of the affected skin
Which information should the nurse include when teaching a patient who has just received a prescription for ciprofloxacin (Cipro) to treat a urinary tract infection?
A. Use a sunscreen with a high SPF when exposed to the sun.
A patient with atopic dermatitis has a new prescription for pimecrolimus (Elidel). After teaching the patient about the medication, which statement by the patient indicates that further teaching is needed?
B. "If the medication burns when I apply it, I will wipe it off."
The health care provider prescribes topical 5-FU for a patient with actinic keratosis on the left cheek. The nurse should include which statement in the patient's instructions?
B. "Your cheek area will be eroded and it will take several weeks to heal."
There is one opening in the schedule at the dermatology clinic, and four patients are seeking appointments today. Which patient will the nurse schedule for the available opening?
B. 38-year old with a 7-mm nevus on the face that has recently become darker
A teenaged male patient who is on a wrestling team is examined by the nurse in the clinic. Which assessment finding would prompt the nurse to teach the patient about the importance of not sharing headgear to prevent the spread of pediculosis?
B. Papular, wheal-like lesions with white deposits on the hair shaft
A patient has the following risk factors for melanoma. Which risk factor should the nurse assign as the priority focus of patient teaching?
B. The patient uses a tanning booth weekly.
Which information should the nurse include when teaching patients about decreasing the risk for sun damage to the skin?
B. Try to stay out of the direct sun between the hours of 10 AM and 2 PM.
When assessing a new patient at the outpatient clinic, the nurse notes dry, scaly skin; thin hair; and thick, brittle nails. What is the nurse's most important action?
C. Consult with the health care provider about the need for further diagnostic testing.
Which information should the nurse include in the teaching plan for a patient diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (BCC)?
C. Minimizing sun exposure reduces risk for future BCC.
The nurse instructs a patient about application of corticosteroid cream to an area of contact dermatitis on the right leg. Which patient action indicates that further teaching is needed?
C. The patient applies a thick layer of the cream to the affected skin.
The nurse is interviewing a patient with contact dermatitis. Which finding indicates a need for patient teaching?
C. The patient uses bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin on minor abrasions.
Which information will the nurse include when teaching an older patient about skin care?
C. Use warm water and a moisturizing soap when bathing.
What is the best method to prevent the spread of infection to others when the nurse is changing the dressing over a wound infected with Staphylococcus aureus?
C. Wash hands and properly dispose of soiled dressings.
A patient who has severe refractory psoriasis on the face, neck, and extremities is socially withdrawn because of the appearance of the lesions. Which action should the nurse take first?
D. Ask the patient to describe the impact of psoriasis on quality of life.
The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with furunculosis. Which nursing action could the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
D. Cleaning the skin with antimicrobial soap
A patient is undergoing psoralen plus ultraviolet A light (PUVA) therapy for treatment of psoriasis. What action should the nurse take to prevent adverse effects from this procedure?
D. Have the patient use protective eyewear while receiving PUVA.
A patient with an enlarging, irregular mole that is 7 mm in diameter is scheduled for outpatient treatment. The nurse should plan to prepare the patient for which procedure?
D. Surgical excision
An older adult patient with a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on the lower arm has a Mohs procedure in the dermatology clinic. Which nursing action will be included in the postoperative plan of care?
D. Teach the use of cold packs to reduce bruising and swelling.
The nurse assesses a patient who has just arrived in the postanesthesia recovery area (PACU) after a blepharoplasty. Which assessment data should be reported to the surgeon immediately?
D. The skin around the incision is pale and cold when palpated.
