Mateo's mother tells the nurse that he keeps scratching the areas where he has poison ivy.How should the nurse respond?
A) Poison ivy does not itch and needs further investigation.
B) Scratching the lesions will not cause a problem.
C) Scratching the lesions will cause the poison ivy to spread.
D) Scratching the lesions may cause them to become secondarily infected.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Poison ivy is a contact dermatitis that results from exposure to the oil urushiol in the plant.Every effort must be made to prevent the child from scratching because the lesions can become secondarily infected.The poison ivy produces localized,streaked or spotty,oozing,and painful impetiginous lesions.Itching is a common response.The lesions do not spread by contact with the blister serum or by scratching.

Mateo's Mother Tells the Nurse That He Keeps Scratching the Areas