Question 1

A 57-year-old female patient complains of "strange pimples" over her buttocks region. The nurse realizes that this patient might be experiencing which health problem?

Accepted Answer

Acne conglobata is a severe form of acne that can occur in adults and often involves deeper skin layers, leading to nodules and possibly scarring, which can appear on various body parts including the buttocks. The other options are less likely to present in this manner or location.

Question 2

A patient in a wheelchair has a history of sacral pressure ulcer formation. What instruction should be included in the patient's teaching?

Accepted Answer

Shifting the weight every 15 minutes to 1 hour can help relieve pressure on the sacral area and prevent pressure ulcer formation. Sitting on a donut can actually increase pressure on the area and is not recommended. Staying in one position for a long time can also lead to pressure ulcer formation. Having a family member pull the patient up in the wheelchair is not a safe or appropriate method of preventing pressure ulcers.

Question 3

A 35-year-old female patient is diagnosed with advanced malignant melanoma. The nurse realizes that this patient:

Accepted Answer

Advanced malignant melanoma has an uncertain prognosis, meaning it is difficult to predict how the disease will progress and how effective treatment will be. While surgery may be part of the treatment plan, it is unlikely that it will completely cure the patient, and chemotherapy and radiation may be necessary. Age is not necessarily a predictor of prognosis in this case.

Question 4

A patient confined to bed has slid to the bottom of the bed. What should the nurse do to adjust this patient's body position?

Accepted Answer

Lifting the patient up in bed is the correct method to adjust the patient's position safely. Pulling or sliding the patient can cause skin shearing and is not recommended. Doing nothing is not an appropriate response to a patient who has slid down in bed and may need repositioning for comfort and to prevent complications.

Question 5

The nurse is reading the history and physical records of a patient who has alopecia. What should the nurse recognize as possible causes for this disorder?

Accepted Answer

Alopecia can be caused by a variety of factors, including thyroid disorders, systemic lupus erythematosus, chemotherapy for cancer, and androgenic causes. An overactive pituitary is not a known cause of alopecia.

Question 6

A female patient is prescribed tretinoin (Retin-A). What should the nurse instruct the patient about this medication?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A female patient is prescribed tretinoin (Retin-A)....

Question 7

For several months a patient has been experiencing an infection of the cuticle involving several fingernails on both hands. The nurse should recognize this condition as being related to what type of employment?

Accepted Answer

Dish washers often have prolonged exposure to water and chemicals that can cause cuticle infections. Construction workers, painters, and carpenters may be more prone to injuries, such as cuts or puncture wounds, which can also become infected, but this is not typically related to cuticle infections involving several nails on both hands.

Question 8

A 52-year-old male patient of English descent is diagnosed with basal cell cancer on the face and forehead. What should the nurse include when teaching this patient about his diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Basal cell cancer tends to reoccur, and it is important for the patient to be vigilant about follow-up appointments and skin checks. Options B and D are not accurate, as basal cell cancer is generally slow-growing and not a virulent form of cancer, nor is it rare. Option C is also not accurate, as basal cell cancer should not be left alone and requires treatment.

Question 9

A 47-year-old female patient with a history of sun exposure is concerned that she has a disease because of broken blood vessels on the cheeks. What should the nurse realize this patient is describing?

Accepted Answer

Broken blood vessels on the cheeks are a common symptom of telangiectases, which are dilated capillaries that appear as small red or purple lines on the skin. These are often caused by sun damage and occur more frequently in fair-skinned individuals. Nevus flammeus, also known as a port-wine stain, is a type of birthmark that appears as a flat, pink or red patch on the skin. Venus lakes and skin tags are not typically associated with broken blood vessels.

Question 10

A patient with skin cancer is recovering from a surgical procedure in which the layers of the lesion were shaved off. The nurse realizes that this patient most likely had which procedure?

Accepted Answer

Mohs surgery is a precise surgical technique used to treat skin cancer. During Mohs surgery, thin layers of cancer-containing skin are progressively removed and examined until only cancer-free tissue remains. This method ensures all cancer cells are removed while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible, making it particularly suitable for skin cancer treatment.

Question 11

The nurse is preparing a teaching plan about acne for a group of community teenagers. What should be included in this teaching plan?

Accepted Answer

A) Sun exposure can exacerbate acne, but moderate exposure with proper sunscreen protection is generally safe. B) Keeping hair clean can help prevent oil and dirt from clogging pores on the forehead and face, which can reduce acne outbreaks.

Question 12

A female patient comes into the clinic with eyelid redness and edema. What would be appropriate for the nurse to include in the assessment of this patient?

Accepted Answer

Eyelid redness and edema can sometimes be caused by an infection of the eyelid or inflammation due to irritation. Asking if the patient has been thoroughly removing all their eye makeup can help determine if makeup residue or irritation from makeup is the cause of the symptoms.

Question 13

The nurse instructs a patient who is prescribed oral griseofulvin for a fungal infection of the nails to take the medication with food. Which foods should the nurse recommend to the patient?

Accepted Answer

Griseofulvin absorption is enhanced when taken with fatty foods, such as ice cream and cheese, leading to better therapeutic effects.

Question 14

A 68-year-old male patient comes into the clinic with a "strange painful rash" located on the left side of his upper chest. The nurse realizes that this patient might be experiencing what health problem?

Accepted Answer

The location of the rash on the left side of the chest and the patient's age suggest that he may be experiencing herpes zoster, also known as shingles. Herpes simplex typically presents as cold sores on the lips or genital area. Verruca plana refers to flat warts, usually found on the face or hands, and condylomata acuminata are genital warts.

Question 15

The nurse instructs a patient with melanoma to "eat foods rich in protein and calories." For which health problem is this action most likely being directed?

Accepted Answer

Eating foods rich in protein and calories is directed at supporting changes in skin integrity, as these nutrients are essential for skin repair and healing, especially in conditions like melanoma.

Question 16

The mother of a 12-year-old child reports that her daughter frequently scratches her scalp and the hair "is clumpy and smells really bad." What should the nurse do to assist this mother?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms reported by the mother are consistent with head lice infestation. Therefore, the nurse should suggest that the daughter be checked for head lice.

Question 17

A patient with a history of pruritis says, "The itching seems to improve when I take my allergy medicine." The nurse realizes that this is most likely because

Accepted Answer

Allergy medication typically contains antihistamines, which work to reduce histamine release in the body. Histamine is a key mediator of itching and other allergic symptoms. Therefore, if the patient's itching improves with allergy medication, it's likely because the antihistamine is reducing the histamine-induced itching.

Question 18

A patient is receiving his first ultraviolet light therapy treatment for psoriasis. What should be included in this patient's teaching?

Accepted Answer

The skin will often appear reddened approximately eight hours after the treatment, which may last for several hours to a few days. It is important for the patient to understand this is a normal response to treatment and not a sign of an adverse reaction.

Question 19

A female patient comes into the clinic with an itchy reddened area on both hands. Which technique should the nurse use when assessing this patient?

Accepted Answer

Asking the patient if she has changed soap or perfume can provide important clues to the cause of the patient's skin irritation.

Question 20

A patient diagnosed with psoriasis is being treated with topical corticosteroids. What should the nurse instruct the patient about the use of this medication?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should instruct the patient to apply the medication in a thin layer to avoid systemic absorption and possible adverse effects. Applying a thick layer or rubbing the medication into the skin increases the risk of adverse effects, such as skin thinning, stretch marks, and easy bruising. If the lesions worsen, the patient should contact the healthcare provider for a review of the treatment plan.

Quiz 16: Nursing Care of Patients With Integumentary Disorders