Author Question: A patient with skin lesions due to a viral infection has been prescribed a topical antiviral agent. ... (Read 92 times)

DelorasTo · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient with skin lesions due to a viral infection has been prescribed a topical antiviral agent. When teaching the patient about this therapy, which of the following would the nurse emphasize?

A) The drug will not prevent the spread of the disease to others.
B) Topical drugs should be applied using the hand, not a finger cot or gloves.
C) All lesions should be left open and not covered in any way.
D) Sexual contact when lesions are present is permissible if barrier methods are used.

Question 2

An HIV-positive patient is being treated with didanosine as part of the antiretroviral therapy. When assessing the patient, the nurse would immediately report which of the following to the primary health care provider?

A) Peripheral neuropathy
B) Headache
C) Excoriation
D) Taste alteration

pocatato · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Ans: A
Feedback:
The nurse should inform the patient that application of the drug does not prevent the spread of the disease to others. Topical drugs should be applied with a finger cot or gloves but not with bare hands. The nurse should instruct the patient to cover all lesions and not leave them open. The nurse should also stress the importance of avoiding sexual contact when lesions are present irrespective of contraceptive measures.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: A
Feedback:
The nurse should immediately report symptoms of peripheral neuropathy to the primary health care provider. Headache and taste alteration are some of the mild adverse effects of the drug and are not cause for immediate concern. Excoriation is an adverse effect of imiquimod and does not occur in patients being administered didanosine.