The health care provider diagnoses impetigo in a patient who has ...

[deesands]

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.
  b. Apply alcohol-based cleansers on the lesions.
  c. Avoid use of antibiotic ointments on the lesions.
  d. Use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to soften crusty areas.

Question 2

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 biopsy.
  b. Teach about the use of corticosteroid creams.
  c. Explain how to apply tretinoin (Retin-A) to the face.
  d. Discuss the need for topical application of antibiotics.

[peter]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The treatment for impetigo includes softening of the crusts with warm saline soaks and then soap-and-water removal. Alcohol-based cleansers and use of petroleum jelly are not recommended for impetigo. Antibiotic ointments, such as mupirocin (Bactroban), may be applied to the lesions.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Because the appearance of the lesion suggests actinic keratosis or possible squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the appropriate treatment would be excision and biopsy. Over-the-counter (OTC) corticosteroids, topical antibiotics, and Retin-A would not be used for this lesion.

[deesands]

Correct answers!

[peter]

Great! Please up vote