A patient is suspected as having a fungal infection.What should the nurse have available during the evaluation of this skin area?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is used in a technique called a KOH prep to diagnose fungal infections of the skin. The KOH prep involves collecting a skin sample, placing it on a slide, and adding a small amount of KOH solution. The KOH breaks down the skin cells, leaving the fungal cells intact and visible under a microscope. Sterile water, potassium chloride, and sterile normal saline are not indicated for diagnosis of a fungal infection.

A Patient Is Suspected as Having a Fungal Infection