The nurse is providing instruction to a client newly diagnosed with herpes zoster. Which two medications does the nurse anticipate to reduce pain and severity of disease symptoms?
- A. Acyclovir and prednisone
- B. Penicillin and Tylenol
- C. Keflex and Benadryl
- D. Zostavax and ibuprofen
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse is correct to instruct the client that medications prescribed to care for an outbreak of shingles include acyclovir (most frequently prescribed medication for shingles) and prednisone, a corticosteroid. Oral acyclovir, when taken within 48 hours of the appearance of symptoms, reduces the severity and prevents the development of additional lesions. Also, a brief course of corticosteroids reduces pain. Additional treatments include antipruritic and analgesic medications but are not as important as the acyclovir.
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A client asks the nurse what psoriasis is. What is the best answer?
- A. It is a chronic, infectious inflammatory disease.
- B. It is characterized by patches of redness covered with silvery scales.
- C. A cure is possible with prompt treatment.
- D. The onset typically occurs in young children.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Psoriasis is characterized by patches of erythema covered with silvery scales, usually on the extensor surfaces of the elbows, knees, trunk, and scalp. It is a chronic non-infectious inflammatory disease. Psoriasis has no cure. The onset is in young- and middle-adulthood.
The nurse is working at a podiatrist's office. Which assessment finding is characteristic to the acquisition of onychomycosis in women?
- A. Clipping nails too closely
- B. Soaking hands in detergent
- C. Wearing artificial nails.
- D. Filing nails even with the fingers
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse is correct to instruct the client that onychomycosis is frequently found in the fingernails of women wearing artificial nails. Unsanitary cleansing of nail-application utensils between customers in salons seems to be the mode of transmission. Clipping nails too closely can cause discomfort. Soaking hands in detergent and filing nails even with the fingers do not cause onychomycosis.
The nurse is caring for a client prescribed oral griseofulvin for treatment of a fungal toenail infection. Which instruction by the nurse is essential in understanding the treatment plan?
- A. Take the medication with meals.
- B. Administer medications daily.
- C. Continue medication regimen for several weeks.
- D. Administer a stool softener to offset constipation.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fungal infections are difficult to treat and often take many weeks of medication to eradicate. Taking medication with meals, administering daily, and using stool softeners are good teaching components but not essential in understanding the treatment plan.
A client has just been diagnosed with rosacea. The nurse knows that initial treatment of rosacea includes what?
- A. Corticosteroids
- B. Antibiotics
- C. Antifungals
- D. Retinoids
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Physicians treat rosacea initially with oral antibiotics, such as minocycline (Minocin). Corticosteroids are used in some skin disorders for their anti-inflammatory effect. Antifungals are used for the treatment of fungal infections. Retinoids are used in the treatment of acne.
The nurse is assessing a client with onychocryptosis. Which of the following is evident if the tissue is infected?
- A. Pressure
- B. Redness and swelling
- C. Pain
- D. Purulent drainage and an odor
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Purulent leakage and an odor are evident if the tissue is infected. A client with onychocryptosis feels a local pressure from the abnormal nail growth, but this is not a sign of the tissue being infected. Redness, swelling, and pain occur where the nail pierces the adjacent tissue.
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