Chapter 15: Integumentary Problems Flashcards
Which actions will the nurse use when treating a client with a venous ulcer on the right lower leg? Select all that apply.
- Position the right leg lower than the heart.
- Use compression wraps consistently.
- Administer analgesics before wound care.
- Maintain a dry wound environment.
- Encourage right ankle flexion exercises.
- Clean wound with a nonirritating solution.
Ans: 2, 3, 5, 6
Current guidelines for promotion of venous ulcer healing suggest use of compression, appropriate analgesia, use of exercises to improve venous return, and wound cleansing with a non-irritating solution such as normal saline. The extremity should be elevated to promote venous return and decrease swelling. A moist environment encourages wound healing. Focus: Prioritization.
After the nurse has performed a skin assessment on a recently admitted 19- year-old client, which finding is the highest priority to report to the health care provider?
- Mole 2 mm in diameter on the chest
- Tenting of the skin on the forearms
- Patches of vitiligo around both eyes
- Scattered brown macules on the face
Ans: 2
Tenting of the skin on younger clients may indicate dehydration and the need for oral or IV fluid administration. The other data will be recorded but do not require any rapid interventions. Focus: Prioritization.
The home health nurse is caring for a client with a fungal infection of the toenails who has a new prescription for oral itraconazole. Which client information is most important to discuss with the health care provider (HCP) before administration of the itraconazole?
- The client’s toenails are thick and yellow.
- The client is embarrassed by the infection.
- The client is also taking simvastatin daily.
- The client is allergic to iodine and shellfish.
Ans: 3
The “azole” antifungal medications inhibit drug-metabolizing enzymes (when used orally or intravenously) and can lead to toxic levels of many other medications, including some commonly prescribed statins. Thick and yellow toenails are typical with fungal infections in this area, and clients may be embarrassed by the appearance of the nails, but antifungal treatment will improve the appearance of the nails. The client’s iodine allergy will be reported to the HCP but will not impact on use of itraconazole. Focus: Prioritization; Test Taking Tip: Be aware that the “azole” medications affect cytochrome P450, an enzyme system that is responsible for the metabolism of many medications. When a client is taking an azole, plan to check any newly prescribed medications for possible drug interactions that might lead to toxicity.
The health care provider (HCP) prescribes permethrin application for all family members of a client who has scabies. Which client information will be most important for the nurse to discuss with the HCP before client teaching about the medication?
- The client has a newborn infant.
- Burrows are noted on the wrists.
- The client and family are homeless.
- Family members are asymptomatic.
Ans: 1
Although all family members (symptomatic or not) should be treated for scabies, permethrin is contraindicated in clients who are younger than 2 months of age because of concerns that the medication may be absorbed systemically. Burrows on the wrist are commonly seen with scabies. The client’s homelessness may affect teaching about how to launder clothes and linens but will not impact on use of permethrin for treating the scabies infestation. Focus: Prioritization.
The nurse is caring for a client who has just had a squamous cell carcinoma removed from the face. Which action can be assigned to an experienced LPN/LVN?
- Teaching the client about risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma
- Showing the client how to care for the surgical site at home
- Monitoring the surgical site for swelling, bleeding, or pain
- Discussing the reasons for avoiding aspirin use for 1 week after surgery
Ans: 3
An LPN/LVN who is experienced in working with postoperative clients will know how to monitor for pain, bleeding, or swelling and will notify the supervising RN. Client teaching requires more education and a broader scope of practice and is appropriate for RN staff members. Focus: Assignment.
The charge nurse in a long-term care (LTC) facility that employs RNs, LPNs/LVNs, and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is planning care for a resident with a stage III sacral pressure ulcer. Which nursing intervention is best to assign to an LPN/LVN?
- Choosing the type of dressing to be used on the ulcer
- Using the Braden scale to assess for pressure ulcer risk factors
- Assisting the client in changing position at frequent intervals
- Cleaning and changing the dressing on the ulcer every morning
Ans: 4
LPN/LVN education and scope of practice includes sterile and nonsterile wound care. LPNs/LVNs do function as wound care nurses in some LTC facilities, but the choice of dressing type and assessment for risk factors are more complex skills that are appropriate to the RN level of practice. Assisting the client to change position is a task included in UAP education and would be more appropriate to delegate to the UAP. Focus: Assignment.
The nurse has just received a change-of-shift report for the burn unit. Which client should be assessed first?
- Client with deep partial-thickness burns on both legs who reports severe and continuous leg pain
- Client who has just arrived from the emergency department with facial burns sustained in a house fire
- Client who has just been transferred from the postanesthesia care unit after having skin grafts applied to the anterior chest
- Client admitted 3 weeks ago with full-thickness leg and buttock burns who has been waiting for 3 hours to receive discharge teaching
Ans: 2
Facial burns are frequently associated with airway inflammation and swelling, so this client requires the most immediate assessment. The other clients also require rapid assessment or interventions but not as urgently as the client with facial burns. Focus: Prioritization.
The nurse is performing a sterile dressing change for a client with infected deep partial-thickness burns of the chest and abdomen. List the steps in the order in which each should be accomplished.
- Apply silver sulfadiazine ointment.
- Obtain specimens for aerobic and anaerobic wound cultures.
- Administer morphine sulfate 10 mg IV.
- Débride the wound of eschar using gauze sponges.
- Cover the wound with a sterile gauze dressing.
Ans: 3, 4, 2, 1, 5
Pain medication should be administered before changing the dressing because changing dressings for partial-thickness burns is painful, especially if the dressing change involves removal of eschar. The wound should be débrided before obtaining wound specimens for culture to avoid including bacteria that are skin contaminants rather than causes of the wound infection. Culture specimens should be obtained before the application of antibacterial creams. The antibacterial cream should then be applied to the area after débridement to gain the maximum effect. Finally, the wound should be covered with a sterile dressing. Focus: Prioritization.
Which client is best for the nurse manager on the burn unit to assign to an RN who has floated from the oncology unit?
- A 23-year-old client who has just been admitted with burns over 30% of the body after a warehouse fire
- A 36-year-old client who requires discharge teaching about nutrition and wound care after having skin grafts
- A 45-year-old client with infected partial-thickness back and chest burns who has a dressing change scheduled
- A 57-year-old client with full-thickness burns on both arms who needs assistance in positioning hand splints
Ans: 3
A nurse from the oncology unit would be familiar with dressing changes and sterile technique. The charge RN in the burn unit would work closely with the float RN to provide partners to assist in providing care and to answer any questions. Admission assessment and development of the initial care plan, discharge teaching, and splint positioning in burn clients all require expertise in caring for clients with burns. These clients should be assigned to RNs who regularly work on the burn unit. Focus: Assignment.
After the nurse performs a skin assessment on a 70-year-old new resident in a long-term care facility, which finding is of most concern?
- Numerous striae are noted across the abdomen and buttocks.
- All the toenails are thickened and yellow.
- Silver scaling is present on the elbows and knees.
- An irregular border is seen on a black mole on the scalp.
Ans: 4
Irregular borders and a black or variegated color are characteristics associated with malignant skin lesions. Striae and toenail thickening or yellowing are common in older adults. Silver scaling is associated with chronic conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, which may need treatment but are not as urgent a concern as the appearance of the mole. Focus: Prioritization.
Which assessment finding calls for the most immediate action by the nurse?
- Bluish color around the lips and earlobes
- Yellow color of the skin and sclera
- Bilateral erythema of the face and neck
- Dark brown spotting on the chest and back
Ans: 1
A blue color or cyanosis may indicate that the client has significant problems with circulation or ventilation. Further assessment of respiratory and circulatory status is needed immediately to determine if actions such as administration of oxygen or medications are appropriate. The other data may also indicate health problems in major body systems, but potential respiratory or circulatory abnormalities are the priority. Focus: Prioritization.
The nurse obtains this information about a 60-year-old client who has a
shingles infection. Which finding is of most concern?
1. The client has had symptoms for about 2 days.
2. The client has severe burning-type discomfort.
3. The client has not had the herpes zoster vaccination.
4. The client’s spouse is currently receiving cancer chemotherapy.
Ans: 4
Because exposure to clients with shingles may cause herpes zoster infection (including systemic infection) in individuals who are immune suppressed, teaching about how to prevent transmission and possible evaluation and treatment of the client’s spouse is needed. Antiviral treatment is most effective when started within 72 hours of symptom development. The client will need analgesics to treat the pain associated with shingles and may receive vaccination, but the biggest concern is possible infection of the client’s spouse. Focus: Prioritization.
Which of these actions will the nurse take first for a client who has arrived in the emergency department with sudden-onset urticaria and intense itching?
- Ask the client about any new medications.
- Administer the prescribed cetirizine.
- Apply topical corticosteroid cream.
- Auscultate the client’s breath sounds.
Ans: 4
Because urticaria can be associated with anaphylaxis, assessment for clinical manifestations of anaphylaxis (e.g., respiratory distress, wheezes, or hypotension) should be done immediately. The other actions are also appropriate, but therapy will change if an anaphylactic reaction is occurring. Focus: Prioritization.
A 22-year-old woman who has been taking isotretinoin to treat severe cystic acne makes all these statements while being seen for a follow-up examination. Which statement is of most concern?
- “My husband and I are thinking of starting a family soon.”
- “I don’t think there has been much improvement in my skin.”
- “Sometimes I get nauseated after taking the medication.”
- “I have been experiencing a lot of muscle aches and pains.”
Ans: 1
Because isotretinoin is associated with a high incidence of birth defects, it is important that the client stop using the medication at least 1 month before attempting to become pregnant. Nausea and muscle aches are possible adverse effects of isotretinoin that would require further assessment but are not as urgent as discussing the fetal risks associated with this medication. The client’s concern about whether treatment is effective should be addressed, but this is a lower priority intervention. Focus: Prioritization.
A client is scheduled for patch testing to determine allergies to several substances. Which action associated with this test should the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) working in the allergy clinic?
- Explaining the purpose of the testing to the client
- Examining the patch area for evidence of a reaction
- Scheduling a follow-up appointment for the client in 2 days
- Monitoring the client for anaphylactic reactions to the testing
Ans: 3
Scheduling a follow-up appointment for the client is within the legal scope of practice and training for the UAP role. Client teaching, assessment for positive skin reactions to the test, and monitoring for serious allergic reactions are appropriate to the education and practice role of licensed nursing staff. Focus: Delegation.