Question

Multiple-choice question: Which of the following is an important nursing consideration in caring for a child with impetigo? A. Apply topical corticosteroids to decrease inflammation. B. Carefully remove dressings so as not to dislodge undermined skin, crusts, and debris. Keep lesions covered for several days before changing. C. Carefully wash hands and maintain cleanliness in caring for an infected child and apply antibiotic cream as ordered. D. Examine child under a Woods lamp for possible spread of lesions.

Short answer

The most appropriate nursing consideration when caring for a child with impetigo is C: carefully wash hands and maintain cleanliness in caring for an infected child and apply antibiotic cream as ordered.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the condition - Impetigo

Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection that is highly contagious. It often presents as red sores, blisters, or crusty lesions typically around the mouth and nose. It's more common in children and can be spread to others via direct contact with the affected skin or with objects that have come in contact with the skin.

Evaluate each choice individually

A: Applying topical corticosteroids is generally used to reduce inflammation, but it's not the primary intervention for impetigo. Rather, antibiotics would typically be prescribed. B: Careful removal of dressings could be a consideration but is often not directly associated with the treatment for impetigo. Covering the lesion could potentially create a humid environment that could favor the growth of bacteria. C: This option involves both preventative (hand hygiene) and curative measures (application of antibiotic cream), which corresponds to a common treatment strategy for impetigo. D: A Woods lamp is often used to detect fungal infections, not bacterial infections like impetigo.

Choose the best answer

Taking into account the nature of impetigo and judging each option critically, option C (Carefully wash hands and maintain cleanliness in caring for an infected child and apply antibiotic cream as ordered) seems to be the most comprehensive and appropriate nursing intervention for impetigo.

Key concepts

Pediatric Nursing

Pediatric nursing plays a critical role in addressing the unique health needs of children, requiring specialized knowledge of growth, development, and common childhood illnesses. It involves providing medical care, support, and guidance to both children and their families. Pediatric nurses must be well-versed in assessing and interpreting children's symptoms, which may manifest differently than in adults, and adapt care accordingly.

Features of effective pediatric nursing include:

• Strong communication skills to interact with both children and their guardians.
• Boosting comfort by involving parents and explaining treatment plans clearly.
• Understanding developmental milestones and tailoring care to suit each child's age and cognitive level.
• Patience and compassion, as children may be fearful or uncooperative in clinical settings.

Pediatric nurses often collaborate with a broad healthcare team to deliver holistic care, ensuring physical, emotional, and psychological needs are met. In cases like impetigo, pediatric nurses educate families on infection control and proper treatment adherence to prevent the disease from spreading.

Infectious Diseases

Understanding infectious diseases is crucial in healthcare, particularly in pediatric nursing, as children have developing immune systems that make them more susceptible to infections. Infectious diseases can spread via contact, droplets, or even airborne pathways. Impetigo, a case in point, is a common bacterial infection in children characterized by open sores that can easily transmit bacteria.

Key points to consider include:

• Recognizing symptoms specific to various infections, such as the distinct crusty sores of impetigo.
• Knowing the modes of transmission to implement effective prevention strategies.
• Utilizing appropriate treatments, like antibiotics for bacterial infections, while ensuring they are applied according to medical directives.
• Educating patients and caregivers on hand hygiene and personal cleanliness to minimize germ spread.

Interdisciplinary approaches in infectious disease management enable better health outcomes, reducing the burden of such diseases within communities.

Clinical Decision-Making

Clinical decision-making is an essential skill in nursing that involves assessing situations, considering interventions, and making informed choices about patient care. For pediatric nurses, this includes evaluating symptoms, like those seen in impetigo, understanding appropriate actions, and considering patient-specific factors.

Nurses often rely on:

• Clinical guidelines and previous experiences to guide their choices.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to weigh treatment options.
• Prioritizing strategies that consider safety, effectiveness, and patient comfort.
• Documenting and communicating decisions with the healthcare team to ensure consistent care delivery.

Making sound clinical decisions ensures timely and effective interventions, reducing potential complications and improving recovery rates, especially in pediatric patients, who require more agile approaches due to their changing developmental stages.

Nursing Interventions

Nursing interventions are actions taken by a nurse to address a patient's problem and promote recovery. In pediatric nursing, interventions are especially critical because children's conditions can escalate quickly. In handling cases like impetigo, nurses implement specific interventions tailored to the child's needs.

These interventions may include:

• Conducting frequent skin assessments to monitor the progression of the infection.
• Applying prescribed ointment, such as antibiotic cream, to affected areas after thorough wound cleaning.
• Educating families on infection prevention, emphasizing handwashing to prevent transmission.
• Ensuring regular follow-up to reassess the condition and adapt care plans as necessary.

Effective nursing interventions not only address immediate medical needs but also empower families with the knowledge necessary to prevent recurrence and ensure the well-being of the child.