A parent calls the clinic nurse because his 7-year-old child was ...

[09madisonrousseau09]

A parent calls the clinic nurse because his 7-year-old child was bitten by a black widow spider. What action should the nurse advise the parent to take?
 
  a. Apply warm compresses.
  b. Carefully scrape off the stinger.
  c. Take the child to the emergency department.
  d. Apply a thin layer of corticosteroid cream.

Question 2

When giving instructions to a parent whose child has scabies, what should the nurse include?
 
  a. Treat all family members if symptoms develop.
  b. Be prepared for symptoms to last 2 to 3 weeks.
  c. Carefully treat only areas where there is a rash.
  d. Notify practitioner so an antibiotic can be prescribed.

[pami445]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The venom of the black widow spider has a neurotoxic effect. The parent should take the child to the emergency department for treatment with antivenin and muscle relaxants as needed. Warm compresses increase the circulation to the area and facilitate the spread of the venom. The black widow spider does not have a stinger. Corticosteroid cream has no effect on the venom.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
The mite responsible for the scabies will most likely be killed with the administration of medications. It will take 2 to 3 weeks for the stratum corneum to heal. That is when the symptoms will abate. Initiation of therapy does not wait for clinical symptom development. All individuals in close contact with the affected child need to be treated. Permethrin, a scabicide, is the preferred treatment and is applied to all skin surfaces.