A patient in the emergency department has bright red edematous plaques along an uneven line that runs from under the right arm toward the chest. The patient states that the breakout was sudden and is very painful. Which information does the nurse need to obtain first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The description of bright red edematous plaques along an uneven line is indicative of shingles (herpes zoster), which is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Therefore, verifying if the patient has ever had chickenpox is crucial because only individuals who have had chickenpox in the past can develop shingles.

A Patient in the Emergency Department Has Bright Red Edematous