Nokea
A patient is considering taking oral aloe supplements and asks the nurse about potential problems with this therapy. Which statement by the nurse is correct?
- A. Aloe is not taken orally; it is only used topically to aid in wound healing.
- B. Aloe is used by some to treat constipation; it may cause diarrhea.
- C. This is a safe herbal supplement, with no known drug interactions.
- D. This is a safe herbal supplement, with no known adverse effects.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The dried juice of the leaves of the aloe plant contains anthranoids, which give aloe a laxative effect when taken orally. The topical application of the plant juice has been known for years to help the healing of wounds. Common adverse effects include diarrhea, nephritis, abdominal pain, and dermatitis when used topically.
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A woman suffered a second-degree burn of the skin on her arm and hand while cooking breakfast. After examination in the urgent care center, silver sulfadiazine cream is ordered for the burned area. The nurse will apply the medication using which procedure?
- A. Gently patting a moderate amount over the burned area
- B. Massaging the cream completely into the wound
- C. Applying a thick layer over the burned area, and then leaving the area open
- D. Applying a thin layer with a sterile, gloved hand to clean and debrided areas
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Apply a thin layer of medication with a sterile, gloved hand to clean and debrided wounds.
The preoperative nurse is ready to perform a skin prep with povidone-iodine on a patient who is about to have abdominal surgery. Which allergies, if present, would be a contraindication to this prep solution?
- A. Peanuts
- B. Shellfish
- C. Adhesives
- D. Latex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Povidone-iodine, a widely used antiseptic, cannot be used in patients who are allergic to iodine or have shellfish allergies.
A child is being treated for head lice with spinosad. Which of these statements about treatment with spinosad is true? (Select all that apply.)
- A. You will need a prescription for a second product, malathion.
- B. You will also need to decontaminate clothes and personal items.
- C. Be sure to use a nit comb to remove nits from the hair shafts.
- D. Try combing through the hair with mineral oil to loosen the lice from the hair shafts.
- E. It is not necessary to comb the nits when using spinosad.
Correct Answer: B,E
Rationale: The clothing and personal articles of the infested person must be decontaminated. This is best accomplished by washing them in hot, soapy water or by dry cleaning them. Spinosad offers the benefit of not requiring nit combing as do the other treatments, and is a single treatment drug.
A patient has a prescription for topically applied 5% fluorouracil cream as part of treatment for basal cell carcinoma on her cheek. Which instructions will the nurse provide to the patient? (Select all that apply.)
- A. You must use gloves to apply this medication.
- B. You can use clean fingertips to apply the cream, but be sure to wash your hands afterward.
- C. You will need to stay out of the sun during therapy with this medication.
- D. Apply this medication to the affected site once a day in the evening.
- E. Apply this medication to the affected site twice daily.
- F. You may have swelling, scaling, burning, and tenderness in the affected area.
Correct Answer: B,C,E,F
Rationale: Fluorouracil may be applied with gloves or clean fingertips, but if fingertips are used, the medication must be washed off thoroughly after application. The medication may cause photosensitivity, as well as local swelling, scaling, burning, and tenderness. The medication is applied twice daily.
A patient asks about using minoxidil for hair thinning. Which statement about minoxidil is accurate?
- A. The product is applied once daily in the morning.
- B. Systemic absorption of topically applied minoxidil is rare.
- C. Results may be seen as soon as 2 weeks after beginning therapy.
- D. Systemic absorption may cause tachycardia, fluid retention, and weight gain.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Results of minoxidil therapy may not be seen for 4 months after beginning therapy. The product is applied twice daily, morning and evening, and systemic effects may result because of absorption.