A patient with atopic dermatitis has been using a high-potency ...

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A patient with atopic dermatitis has been using a high-potency topical corticosteroid ointment for several weeks. The nurse should assess for which adverse effect?
 
  a. Thinning of the affected skin
  b. Alopecia of the affected areas
  c. Reddish-brown discoloration of the skin
  d. Dryness and scaling in the areas of treatment

Question 2

A teenaged male patient who wrestles in high school is examined by the nurse in the clinic. Which assessment finding would prompt the nurse to teach the patient about the importance of not sharing headgear to prevent the spread of pediculosis?
 
  a. Ringlike rashes with red, scaly borders over the entire scalp
  b. Papular, wheal-like lesions with white deposits on the hair shaft
  c. Patchy areas of alopecia with small vesicles and excoriated areas
  d. Red, hivelike papules and plaques with sharply circumscribed borders

[joewallace]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Thinning of the skin indicates that atrophy, a possible adverse effect of topical corticosteroids, is occurring. The health care provider should be notified so that the medication can be changed or tapered. Alopecia, red-brown discoloration, and dryness/scaling of the skin are not adverse effects of topical corticosteroid use.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Pediculosis is characterized by wheal-like lesions with parasites that attach eggs to the base of the hair shaft. The other descriptions are more characteristic of other types of skin disorders.