NURS 6531 EXAM SCRIPT FINAL PAPER
2026 FULL SOLUTION VIEW AHEAD
◉ A patient has vesiculopustular lesions around the nose and mouth
with areas of honey-colored crusts. The provider notes a few similar
lesions on the patient's hands and legs. Which treatment is
appropriate for this patient? p. 281
a. Mupirocin, 2% ointment
b. Culture and sensitivity of the lesions
c. Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim
d. Surgical referral.
Answer: ANS: A
This patient has symptoms of impetigo which has spread to the
hands and legs. Mupirocin, 2% ointment, should be applied three
times a day for 10 days. It is not necessary to obtain a culture since
this can be treated empirically in most cases. MRSA is unlikely, so
sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim is not indicated. Surgical referrals
are generally not indicated.
◉ A patient with a purulent skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI). A
history reveals a previous MRSA infection in a family member. The
clinician performs an incision and drainage of the lesion and sends a
sample to the lab for culture. What is the next step in treating this
patient? p. 278
,a. Apply moist heat until symptoms resolve.
b. Begin treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanate.
c. Prescribe trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
d. Wait for culture results before ordering an antibiotic..
Answer: ANS: C
Because of a history of exposure to MRSA, the patient is likely to be
colonized and should be treated accordingly. Small lesions may be
treated with moist heat, but the likelihood of MRSA requires
treatment. Amoxicillin-clavulanate is not effective for MRSA.
Treatment should be started empirically.
◉ A patient who has never had an outbreak of oral lesions reports a
burning sensation on the oral mucosa and then develops multiple
painful round vesicles at the site. A Tzanck culture confirms HSV-1
infection. What will the provider tell the patient about this
condition? p. 288
a. Antiviral medications are curative for oral herpes.
b. The initial episode is usually the most severe.
c. There are no specific triggers for this type of herpesvirus.
d. Transmission to others occurs only when lesions are present..
Answer: ANS: B
In herpesvirus outbreaks, the initial episode is generally the most
severe. Antiviral medications may prevent outbreaks, but do not
cure the disease. HSV-1 has several specific triggers. Transmission to
others may occur even when lesions are not present.
,◉ A patient who has had lesions for several days is diagnosed with
primary herpes labialis and asks about using a topical medication.
What will the provider tell this patient?
a. Oral antivirals are necessary to treat this type of herpes.
b. Preparations containing salicylic acid are most helpful.
c. Topical medications can have an impact on pain and discomfort.
d. Topical medications will significantly shorten the healing time..
Answer: ANS: C
Topical medications may alleviate discomfort, but do not shorten
healing time. Oral antivirals may help shorten healing, but are not
necessary as treatment, since the disease is usually self-limiting.
Salicylic acid should not be used because it can erode the skin.
◉ A patient who has recurrent, frequent genital herpes outbreaks
asks about therapy to minimize the episodes. What will the provider
recommend as first-line treatment?
a. Acyclovir
b. Famciclovir
c. Topical medications
d. Valacyclovir.
Answer: ANS: A
All three oral antiviral medications help reduce the number of
occurrences and the frequency of asymptomatic shedding.
, Famciclovir and valacyclovir are more costly and no more effective,
so should not be first-line therapy. Topical medications are not
useful with recurrent, frequent genital herpes.
◉ When evaluating scalp lesions in a patient suspected of having
tinea capitis, the provider uses a Wood's lamp and is unable to elicit
fluorescence. What is the significance of this finding?
a. The patient does not have tinea capitis.
b. The patient is less likely to have tinea capitis.
c. The patient is positive for tinea capitis.
d. The patient may have tinea capitis..
Answer: ANS: D
◉ Although some fungal species causing tinea capitis are fluorescent
with a Wood's lamp, Trichophyton tonsurans, the most common
cause or tinea capitis, does not, so lack of fluorescence does not rule
out the infection, make it less likely, or diagnose it. Which
medication will the provider prescribe as first-line therapy to treat
tinea capitis? p. 302
a. Oral griseofulvin
b. Oral ketoconazole
c. Topical clotrimazole
d. Topical tolnaftate.
Answer: ANS: A
2026 FULL SOLUTION VIEW AHEAD
◉ A patient has vesiculopustular lesions around the nose and mouth
with areas of honey-colored crusts. The provider notes a few similar
lesions on the patient's hands and legs. Which treatment is
appropriate for this patient? p. 281
a. Mupirocin, 2% ointment
b. Culture and sensitivity of the lesions
c. Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim
d. Surgical referral.
Answer: ANS: A
This patient has symptoms of impetigo which has spread to the
hands and legs. Mupirocin, 2% ointment, should be applied three
times a day for 10 days. It is not necessary to obtain a culture since
this can be treated empirically in most cases. MRSA is unlikely, so
sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim is not indicated. Surgical referrals
are generally not indicated.
◉ A patient with a purulent skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI). A
history reveals a previous MRSA infection in a family member. The
clinician performs an incision and drainage of the lesion and sends a
sample to the lab for culture. What is the next step in treating this
patient? p. 278
,a. Apply moist heat until symptoms resolve.
b. Begin treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanate.
c. Prescribe trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
d. Wait for culture results before ordering an antibiotic..
Answer: ANS: C
Because of a history of exposure to MRSA, the patient is likely to be
colonized and should be treated accordingly. Small lesions may be
treated with moist heat, but the likelihood of MRSA requires
treatment. Amoxicillin-clavulanate is not effective for MRSA.
Treatment should be started empirically.
◉ A patient who has never had an outbreak of oral lesions reports a
burning sensation on the oral mucosa and then develops multiple
painful round vesicles at the site. A Tzanck culture confirms HSV-1
infection. What will the provider tell the patient about this
condition? p. 288
a. Antiviral medications are curative for oral herpes.
b. The initial episode is usually the most severe.
c. There are no specific triggers for this type of herpesvirus.
d. Transmission to others occurs only when lesions are present..
Answer: ANS: B
In herpesvirus outbreaks, the initial episode is generally the most
severe. Antiviral medications may prevent outbreaks, but do not
cure the disease. HSV-1 has several specific triggers. Transmission to
others may occur even when lesions are not present.
,◉ A patient who has had lesions for several days is diagnosed with
primary herpes labialis and asks about using a topical medication.
What will the provider tell this patient?
a. Oral antivirals are necessary to treat this type of herpes.
b. Preparations containing salicylic acid are most helpful.
c. Topical medications can have an impact on pain and discomfort.
d. Topical medications will significantly shorten the healing time..
Answer: ANS: C
Topical medications may alleviate discomfort, but do not shorten
healing time. Oral antivirals may help shorten healing, but are not
necessary as treatment, since the disease is usually self-limiting.
Salicylic acid should not be used because it can erode the skin.
◉ A patient who has recurrent, frequent genital herpes outbreaks
asks about therapy to minimize the episodes. What will the provider
recommend as first-line treatment?
a. Acyclovir
b. Famciclovir
c. Topical medications
d. Valacyclovir.
Answer: ANS: A
All three oral antiviral medications help reduce the number of
occurrences and the frequency of asymptomatic shedding.
, Famciclovir and valacyclovir are more costly and no more effective,
so should not be first-line therapy. Topical medications are not
useful with recurrent, frequent genital herpes.
◉ When evaluating scalp lesions in a patient suspected of having
tinea capitis, the provider uses a Wood's lamp and is unable to elicit
fluorescence. What is the significance of this finding?
a. The patient does not have tinea capitis.
b. The patient is less likely to have tinea capitis.
c. The patient is positive for tinea capitis.
d. The patient may have tinea capitis..
Answer: ANS: D
◉ Although some fungal species causing tinea capitis are fluorescent
with a Wood's lamp, Trichophyton tonsurans, the most common
cause or tinea capitis, does not, so lack of fluorescence does not rule
out the infection, make it less likely, or diagnose it. Which
medication will the provider prescribe as first-line therapy to treat
tinea capitis? p. 302
a. Oral griseofulvin
b. Oral ketoconazole
c. Topical clotrimazole
d. Topical tolnaftate.
Answer: ANS: A
