A female adult client with atopic dermatitis is prescribed a potent topical corticosteroid, to be covered with an occlusive dressing.
To address a potential client problem associated with this treatment, the nurse formulates the nursing diagnosis of Risk for injury. To complete the nursing diagnosis statement, the nurse should add which “related-to” phrase?
These preparations cause vasoconstriction, not vasodilation. A potent topical corticosteroid rarely is prescribed for use on the face, neck, or intertriginous sites because application on these areas may lead to increased adverse effects.
- a- Related to potential interactions between the topical corticosteroid and other prescribed drugs.
- b- Related to vasodilatory effects of the topical corticosteroid.
- c- Related to percutaneous absorption of the topical corticosteroid.
- d- Related to topical corticosteroid application to the face, neck, and intertriginous sites.
Answer C.
A potent topical corticosteroid may increase the client’s risk for injury because it may be absorbed percutaneously, causing the same adverse effects as systemic corticosteroids. Topical corticosteroids aren’t involved in significant drug interactions.These preparations cause vasoconstriction, not vasodilation. A potent topical corticosteroid rarely is prescribed for use on the face, neck, or intertriginous sites because application on these areas may lead to increased adverse effects.
The answer is (c) Related to percutaneous absorption of the topical corticosteroid.
Occlusive dressings increase the absorption of topical corticosteroids, which can lead to side effects such as skin atrophy, striae, and telangiectasia. These side effects are more likely to occur with potent topical corticosteroids and with long-term use.
The other answer choices are incorrect because:
- (a) Related to potential interactions between the topical corticosteroid and other prescribed drugs is not a potential client problem associated with this treatment.
- (b) Related to vasodilatory effects of the topical corticosteroid is not a potential client problem associated with this treatment.
- (d) Related to topical corticosteroid application to the face, neck, and intertriginous sites is a potential client problem associated with this treatment, but it is not the most specific “related-to” phrase.
Therefore, the most specific and accurate “related-to” phrase is (c) Related to percutaneous absorption of the topical corticosteroid.