The school nurse is seeing a child who collected some poison ivy ...

[mckennatimberlake]

The school nurse is seeing a child who collected some poison ivy leaves during recess. He says only his hands touched it. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
 
  a. Soak his hands in warm water.
  b. Apply Burow's solution compresses.
  c. Rinse his hands in cold running water.
  d. Scrub his hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap.

Question 2

A mother tells the nurse that she does not want her infant immunized because of the discomfort associated with injections. What should the nurse explain?
 
  a. This cannot be prevented.
  b. Infants do not feel pain as adults do.
  c. This is not a good reason for refusing immunizations.
  d. A topical anesthetic can be applied before injections are given.

[Fayaz00962]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The first recommended action is to rinse his hands in cold running water within 15 minutes of exposure. This will neutralize the urushiol not yet bonded to the skin. Soaking his hands in warm water is effective for soothing the skin lesions after the dermatitis has begun. Antibacterial soap removes protective skin oils and dilutes the urushiol, allowing it to spread.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
To minimize the discomfort associated with intramuscular injections, a topical anesthetic agent can be used on the injection site. These include EMLA (eutectic mixture of local anesthetic) and vapor coolant sprays. Pain associated with many procedures can be prevented or minimized by using the principles of atraumatic care. Infants have neural pathways that will indicate pain. Numerous research studies have indicated that infants perceive and react to pain in the same manner as do children and adults. The mother should be allowed to discuss her concerns and the alternatives available. This is part of the informed consent process.

[mckennatimberlake]

Gracias!

[scottmt]

TYSM