A patient with actinic keratoses has received a prescription for ...

[londonang]

A patient with actinic keratoses has received a prescription for fluorouracil (Carac). Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of this medication?
 
  a. Healing should occur 6 weeks after beginning treatment.
  b. I will apply this drug twice daily.
  c. Severe inflammation is an indication for stopping treatment.
  d. Tissue ulceration and necrosis are desired effects.

Question 2

A patient with severe psoriasis will begin taking acitretin (Soriatane). The nurse obtains a health history and learns that the patient takes a combination oral contraceptive. What will the nurse do?
 
  a. Counsel the patient to use another form of birth control along with the OCP.
  b. Tell the patient she may stop using contraception when the medication is withdrawn.
  c. Tell the patient that acitretin is safe to take during pregnancy.
  d. Tell the patient to report spotting to the provider so that another form of contraceptive may be ordered.

[CourtneyCNorton]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Fluorouracil causes tissue disintegration, erosion, ulceration, and necrosis as part of the normal course of desired effects. Complete healing may take several months, although treatment lasts 2 to 6 weeks. Carac is applied once daily. Severe inflammation is part of the course of treatment and not an indication for discontinuing the medication.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Acitretin is contraindicated during pregnancy and can reduce the effectiveness of progestin-only oral contraceptives. Patients should be counseled to use two reliable forms of birth control when taking this drug. Patients must continue using birth control for at least 3 months after treatment has stopped. Acitretin is teratogenic. Patients may experience spotting with progestin-only contraceptives, which this woman is not taking.

[londonang]

TY

[CourtneyCNorton]

You're welcome