The nurse is caring for a 10-year-old male in a pediatric clinic with presenting symptoms of small circular
patches of hair loss on the scalp. Which skin condition does the child most likely have? - Answers Tinea
capitis
Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp that causes circular patches of hair loss. Tinea faciei is a
fungal infection of the face; tinea cruris is a fungal infection of the inner thighs and inguinal creases; and
tinea corporis is a fungal infection located on the entire body.
The nurse is caring for a 6-year-old child brought into the emergency department for burns from a house
fire. The nurse notes burn areas surrounding the client's nose and mouth upon initial assessment. Which
priority complication should the nurse be alert for? - Answers Airway obstruction related to upper
respiratory swelling
Airway obstruction related to swelling is a priority complication to be alert for when signs of inhalation
injury such as burns on the mouth and nose are present. Presence of an ileus, increased nutritional
requirements, and hypovolemic shock are all complications of burns; however, airway obstruction is the
priority.
The nurse is caring for a child admitted with partial-thickness (second-degree) burns. What is most
characteristic of this type of burn? - Answers Blisters appear.
In superfical (first-degree) burns, the injury is only to the epidermis. The burns are very painful, red and
dry. In partial-thickness (seoncd-degree) burns, the injury is to the epidermis and part of the dermis.
These burns are painful, edematous, have a wet appearance and form blisters.,In full-thickness (third-
degree) burns, the dermis, epidermis and hypodermis are all involved. There may or may not be pain.
These burns are red and edematous and may have peeling, charred skin. Muscle damage can occur.
An 8-month-old has been diagnosed with infantile eczema. At a follow-up appointment, the child's
caregiver seems exhausted and angry. He explains that he has done all of the child's care because his
wife is repulsed by the child's raw and uncomfortable appearance. What responses would be
appropriate for the nurse to say to this caregiver? - Answers "That's not an uncommon reaction,
although it's hard on you and on your child."
, The family caregivers of the child with eczema are often frustrated and exhausted. Family caregivers
may feel apprehensive or repulsed by this unsightly child. Support them in expressing their feelings and
help them view this as a distressing but temporary skin condition. Although the caregiver can be assured
that most cases of eczema clear up by the age of 2, this does little to relieve the present situation.
The dermatologist treating a 16-year-old girl with a history of severe acne has ordered a pregnancy test
so she can be started on a course of isotretinoin. The teen's caregiver has said that her daughter is a
virgin and she refuses to allow her to have the required pregnancy testing. What would be the best
action for the nurse to take? - Answers Acknowledge the caregiver's discomfort about the pregnancy
testing but encourage her to allow the daughter to have the testing so that she can use the medication.
Isotretinoin is a pregnancy category X drug: It must not be used at all during pregnancy because of
serious risk of fetal abnormalities. To rule out pregnancy, a urine test is done before beginning
treatment. For the sexually active adolescent girl, an effective form of contraception must be used for a
month before beginning and during isotretinoin therapy. The risk to the fetus, should pregnancy occur,
should be discussed with the girl whether she is sexually active or not.
The nurse is caring for a child with a partial-thickness or second-degree burn. What assessment findings
would the nurse expect to observe? - Answers Edema with wet blistering skin
Partial-thickness or second-degree burns are very painful and edematous and have a wet appearance or
the presence of blisters. Full-thickness or third-degree burns appear red, edematous, leathery, dry, or
waxy and may display red or charred skin (eschar).
The nurse is reviewing the integumentary system during a presentation to a group of nurses. Which
statement made by the nurse is the most accurate regarding the integumentary system? - Answers "The
largest organ of the body helps regulate body temperature."
The skin is the largest organ of the body. The skin helps regulate the body temperature by heating and
cooling. The sebaceous and sweat glands are not fully functional until middle childhood. The major role
of the skin is to protect the organs and structures of the body against bacteria, chemicals, and injury.
Excretion in the form of perspiration is also a function of the skin glands, called the sweat glands.
Sebaceous glands in the skin secrete oils to lubricate the skin and hair. The integumentary system is in
place at birth, but the system is immature. A function of the respiratory system is to distribute oxygen to
body cells.
The nurse is teaching the parents of a 6-year-old who has sustained a large laceration about providing
care to the wound at home. The nurse determines that the parents need additional teaching when they
state: - Answers "We need to keep the wound tightly bandaged for at least 3 days."