A primary care nurse practitioner (NP) prescribes a topical cream ...

[mckennatimberlake]

A primary care nurse practitioner (NP) prescribes a topical cream medication. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of proper application of this medication?
 
  a. I should apply this medication after bathing.
  b. I need to use a tongue blade to apply this medication.
  c. I should apply this medication liberally to all affected areas.
  d. I will apply this medication using circular strokes to ensure absorption.

Question 2

An African-American patient is taking captopril (Capoten) 25 mg twice daily. When performing a physical examination, the primary care nurse practitioner (NP) learns that the patient continues to have blood pressure readings of 135/90 mm Hg.
 
  The NP should: a. increase the captopril dose to 50 mg twice daily.
  b. add a thiazide diuretic to this patient's regimen.
  c. change the drug to losartan (Cozaar) 50 mg once daily.
  d. recommend a low-sodium diet in addition to the medication.

[billybob123]

Answer to Question 1

A
For optimal absorption of topical medications, apply them to moist skin either immediately after bathing or after wet soaks. A tongue blade is used for topicals in paste form. Topical medications should be applied in a thin layer, not liberally. Topical medications should be applied using long, downward strokes because back-and-forth strokes can cause irritation.

Answer to Question 2

B
Some African-American patients do not appear to respond as well as whites in terms of blood pressure reduction. The addition of a low-dose thiazide diuretic often allows for efficacy in blood pressure lowering that is comparable with that seen in white patients. Increasing the captopril dose is not indicated. Losartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and is not indicated in this case.

[mckennatimberlake]

Excellent

[dyrone]

TYSM