The nurse is assessing a patient in the hospital who has received numerous antibiotics for a lung infection and notices that his tongue appears to be black and hairy. In response to his concern, what would the nurse say?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A black, hairy tongue is not really hair but the elongation of filiform papillae and painless overgrowth of mycelial threads of fungus infection on the tongue. It occurs after the use of antibiotics, which inhibit normal bacteria and allow a proliferation of fungus. It is not caused by the same bacteria as his lung infection but occurred after the use of antibiotics, which inhibit normal bacteria and allow a proliferation of fungus. There is no need to get a biopsy.

The Nurse Is Assessing a Patient in the Hospital Who