Chapter 104: Drugs for the Skin

Chapter 104: Drugs for the Skin

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

1. The nurse is teaching a class on drugs for the skin to a group of nursing students. The nurse asks the class, “For which purposes may topical glucocorticoids be used?” The students would be correct to respond that glucocorticoids may be used for treatment of which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

a.	Insect bites
b.	Psoriasis
c.	Minor burns
d.	Seborrheic dermatitis
e.	Mild skin infection

 

 

ANS:   A, B, C, D

Topical glucocorticoids are used to relieve inflammation and itching associated with a variety of dermatologic disorders, such as insect bites, psoriasis, minor burns, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, and pemphigus.

Glucocorticoids are not indicated for skin infections and can increase the risk of further local infection if used.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application             REF:    p. 1227

TOP:    Nursing Process: Evaluation

MSC:   NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

2. A teen African American has been prescribed azelaic acid (Azelex) for severe acne. What education about this medication would be most important for the teen to know?

a.	Azelaic acid may reduce pigmentation in dark-skinned people.
b.	Azelaic acid is more effective than other acne medications.
c.	The risk of allergy is higher for azelaic acid than it is for other acne medications.
d.	Azelaic acid has been determined to have significant systemic toxicity.

 

 

ANS:   A

The nurse should advise the teen that azelaic acid may reduce pigmentation in dark-skinned people.

Azelaic acid is not more effective than other acne medications. Clinical trials have demonstrated that topical azelaic acid (20%) was equally effective as 5% benzoyl peroxide, 0.05% tretinoin, and 2% erythromycin. For severe acne, topical azelaic acid was much less effective than oral isotretinoin.

The risk of allergy is not greater than with other acne medications.

The drug has no significant systemic toxicity.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application             REF:    p. 1231

TOP:    Nursing Process: Implementation

MSC:   NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

3. The nurse in a dermatologist’s clinic is caring for several patients seeing the prescriber for acne-related problems. For which patient who is prescribed a benzoyl peroxide formulation that contains sulfites would the nurse question the order?

a.	The patient with renal disease
b.	The patient with asthma
c.	The patient with acne
d.	The patient with liver disease

 

 

ANS:   B

The nurse should question the order for the patient with asthma. Some formulations of benzoyl peroxide contain sulfites, which can cause potentially serious allergic reactions. The incidence is highest in patients with asthma.

The risk of allergic reactions is no higher in patients with renal disease, acne (it is indicated for the treatment of acne), or liver disease.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application             REF:    p. 1230

TOP:    Nursing Process: Planning

MSC:   NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

4. A 16-year-old patient is diagnosed with severe nodulocystic acne vulgaris and is to receive treatment with isotretinoin (Accutane). What patient education about medication side effects is appropriate for the nurse to provide? (Select all that apply.)

a.	“You should wear protective clothing or sunscreen when outside.”
b.	“This medication may cause nosebleeds.”
c.	“You may experience an increase in hair growth.”
d.	“You may experience dryness or itching of the skin and nose.”
e.	“You may experience sores in the mouth.”

 

 

ANS:   A, B, D

During treatment with isotretinoin, the patient’s skin may become sensitized to ultraviolet light, therefore instructions to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing while outside are important. The nurse also should advise the patient that side effects associated with isotretinoin are nosebleeds; inflammation of the lips and eyes; dryness or itching of the skin, nose, and mouth; and pain, tenderness or stiffness in muscles, bones, and joints.

A less common reaction is hair loss, not increased hair growth.

Isotretinoin does not cause sores in the mouth.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application             REF:    pp. 1231-1232

TOP:    Nursing Process: Implementation

MSC:   NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies