Author Question: What will the nurse include when educating a 12-year-old patient about care of a cold sore? (Select ... (Read 64 times)

awywial · **on:** Jul 24, 2018

What will the nurse include when educating a 12-year-old patient about care of a cold sore? (Select all that apply.)

a. Keep the cold sore clean with mild soap.
b. Use an astringent to assist in drying the cold sore and promote rapid healing.
c. Keep the cold sore moist to prevent cracking.
d. Note signs of infection, including the presence of pus. Contact the health care provider if this occurs.
e. Oral analgesics may help alleviate pain.

Question 2

The nurse is completing education for a patient who will be undergoing chemotherapy next week.

In anticipation of adverse effects associated with oral mucositis resulting from chemotherapy, which information will the nurse include in the teaching plan? (Select all that apply.)
a. Avoid acidic and spicy foods.
b. Using docosanol (Abreva) will decrease the pain.
c. Milk of Magnesia can be used to rinse the mouth and coat mucous membranes.
d. Nystatin liquid can be taken orally to eliminate fungal infections.
e. Cleanse the oral cavity before applying topical agents.
f. Rinse the mouth with an over-the-counter (OTC) mouthwash.

Chocorrol77 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 24, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A, C, D, E
To reduce the possibility of further infection with bacteria, the area should be kept clean.
Cold sores should be kept moist to prevent cracking and the development of secondary bacterial infection. With secondary infection, application of antibiotic ointment would be indicated. Application of docosanol, local anesthetics, and UV blockers or oral analgesics may be prescribed. Astringents should be avoided to prevent drying, delayed healing, and increased discomfort.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A, C, D, E
Spicy and acidic foods should be avoided to prevent irritation to mucous membranes. Viscous lidocaine 2, Milk of Magnesia, diluted bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate), and sucralfate suspensions may be used for topical application. Oral candidal infections are often adverse effects of chemotherapy, and nystatin liquid, an antifungal agent, may be prescribed. Directions for using this agent include swishing the medication in the oral cavity for approximately 1 minute before swallowing or sucking on lozenges (troches) to reduce candidal oral infections. Pain medication applied topically must come into contact with mucous membranes to be effective. Therefore, it is advisable to clean the oral cavity before application. This medication is not used in the treatment of oral mucositis. OTC mouthwashes are usually not recommended for treatment of mucositis.