A nurse is teaching home management to a client newly diagnosed with severe psoriasis. Which client statement indicates that further teaching is needed?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes a rapid turnover of epidermal cells. Characteristic silver plaques on reddened skin may be found bilaterally on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, and/or buttocks. The goal of therapy is to slow epidermal turnover, heal lesions, and control exacerbations. There is no cure for psoriasis; disease management includes avoidance of triggers (eg, stress, trauma, infection), topical therapy (eg, corticosteroids, moisturizers), phototherapy (eg, ultraviolet light), and systemic medications, including cytotoxic (eg, methotrexate) and biologic (eg, infliximab) agents (Options C and D). The client should avoid alcohol as it can worsen psoriasis (Option B). In addition, the liver, kidneys, and bone marrow are specifically affected by the systemic medications commonly used to control psoriasis. (Option A) Exposure to ultraviolet light (eg, phototherapy, sunlight) can help slow epidermal turnover and decrease exacerbations; however, there is a greater long-term risk of skin cancer. Therefore, frequent skin examinations by a health care provider are important. Educational objective: Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by exacerbations of silver plaques on reddened skin. Although there is no cure, management includes topical and systemic medications, phototherapy, and avoidance of triggers.

A Nurse Is Teaching Home Management to a Client Newly