Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Assessment of Integumentary Function Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Assessment of Integumentary Function related questions and content

A nurse practitioner working in a dermatology clinic finds an open lesion on a patient who is being assessed. What should the nurse do next?

  • A. Obtain a swab for culture.
  • B. Assess the characteristics of the lesion.
  • C. Obtain a swab for pH testing.
  • D. Apply a test dose of broad-spectrum topical antibiotic.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Assessing and documenting the characteristics of an open lesion is the priority to guide further diagnostics or treatment. Culture, pH testing, or antibiotics should follow assessment.