Skin cleansers, antiseptics and desloughing agents

Question 1

What is used to cleanse intact skin?

Answer 1

Soap or detergent with water

Question 2

What can be used in place of soap or detergent for cleansing dry skin?

Answer 2

Emollient preparations such as aqueous cream or emulsifying ointment

Question 3

An (?) is used for skin that is infected or that is susceptible to recurrent infection.

Answer 3

antiseptic

Question 4

An antiseptic is used for skin that is infected or that is susceptible to (?).

Answer 4

recurrent infection

Question 5

Antiseptics include detergent preparations that contain (?) or (?)

Answer 5

Chlorhexidine

Povidone-iodine

Question 6

Antiseptics such as (?) or (?) are used on intact skin before surgical procedures; their antiseptic effect is enhanced by an alcoholic solvent.

Answer 6

Chlorhexidine

Povidone-iodine

Question 7

Antiseptics such as chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine are used on intact skin before surgical procedures; their antiseptic effect is enhanced by an (?).

Answer 7

alcohol solvent

Question 8

Antiseptic solutions containing (?) can be used if a detergent effect is also required.

Answer 8

cetrimide

Question 9

Hydrogen peroxide is an (?) agent

Answer 9

oxidising

Question 10

Hydrogen peroxide, an oxidising agent, can be used in solutions of up to (?)% for skin disinfection, such as cleansing and deodorising wounds and ulcers.

Answer 10

6%

Question 11

Hydrogen peroxide is available as a (?) for superficial bacterial skin infections.

Answer 11

cream

Question 12

Hydrogen peroxide is available as a cream for (?) bacterial skin infections.

Answer 12

superficial

Question 13

What is used for irrigating ulcers or wounds? (2)

Answer 13

Lukewarm sterile sodium chloride 0.9% solution
OR
tap water (often appropriate)

Question 14

(?) solution 1 in 10 000, a mild antiseptic with astringent properties, can be used for exudative eczematous areas

Answer 14

Potassium permanganate

Question 15

Potassium permanganate solution 1 in 10 000, a (?) antiseptic with astringent properties, can be used for exudative eczematous areas

Answer 15

mild

Question 16

Potassium permanganate solution 1 in 10 000, a mild antiseptic with (?) properties, can be used for exudative eczematous areas

Answer 16

astringent

Question 17

Potassium permanganate solution 1 in 10 000, a mild antiseptic with astringent properties, can be used for (?) areas

Answer 17

exudative eczematous

Question 18

When should treatment with potassium permanganate be stopped?

Answer 18

When the skin becomes dry

Potassium permanganate solution 1 in 10 000, a mild antiseptic with astringent properties, can be used for exudative eczematous areas

Question 19

Name three desloughing agents that are effective at wound debridement?

Answer 19

Alginate
Hydrogel
Hydrocolloid dressings

Sterile larvae (maggots) (available from BioMonde) are also used for managing sloughing wounds and are prescribable on the NHS.

Question 20

What are the contraindications for the use of chlorhexidine? (2)

Answer 20

Alcoholic solutions not suitable for use on neonatal skin

Not for use in body cavities

Question 21

What are the common side effects of chlorhexidine with oromucosal use? (6)

Answer 21

Dry mouth
Hypersensitivity
Oral disorders
Taste altered
Tongue discolouration 
Tooth discolouration

Question 22

What are the contraindications to the use of povidone iodine (topical)?

Answer 22

1. Avoid regular use in patients with thyroid disorders
2. Concomitant use of lithium
3. Corrected gestational age under 32 weeks
4. Infants body-weight 1.5 kg
5. Regular use in neonates

Question 23

What happens if topical povidone iodine is used during the second and third trimester of pregnancy?

Answer 23

Sufficient iodine may be absorbed to affect the fetal thyroid

Question 24

Topical use of povidone-iodine may affect which laboratory tests?

Answer 24

Thyroid function tests