Acne Drugs

Every question here, with the answer

1. A provider is choosing an oral antibiotic for a 7-year-old with severe acne. The nurse questions an order for tetracycline. Why?

   1. Tetracyclines cause hypertension in children.
   2. Tetracyclines are only effective as a cream.
   3. Tetracyclines do not act on skin bacteria.
   4. Tetracyclines can damage and discolor teeth and alter bone growth.

   Answer: Tetracyclines can damage and discolor teeth and alter bone growth.

   Tetracyclines are associated with tooth damage and discoloration and altered bone growth, and tetracycline is contraindicated in children younger than 8 years. The other options are not supported by the section.

2. A client using adapalene gel asks whether she can keep using her alcohol-based toner and strong exfoliating soap. What should the nurse advise?

   1. Avoid them, because irritating or drying products can worsen redness, scaling and burning.
   2. Use them only on days she skips the gel.
   3. Apply the toner on top of the gel.
   4. Yes, drying products help the gel work faster.

   Answer: Avoid them, because irritating or drying products can worsen redness, scaling and burning.

   Local redness, scaling, itching and burning may worsen when adapalene is used with other irritating or drying substances, so irritating soaps and cleansers are contraindicated. Alternating or layering them does not remove the problem.

3. A nurse is teaching a teenager how to use a topical acne medication. Which instructions are correct? Select all that apply.

   1. Apply only a thin layer to the affected areas.
   2. Wash hands before and after application.
   3. Cover the treated areas with an occlusive dressing overnight.
   4. Cleanse the skin thoroughly before applying.
   5. Avoid contact with the eyes and mucous membranes.

   Answer: Apply only a thin layer to the affected areas., Wash hands before and after application., Cleanse the skin thoroughly before applying., Avoid contact with the eyes and mucous membranes.

   Clients cleanse the skin, apply a thin layer only to affected areas, avoid eyes and mucous membranes and wash hands before and after. Occlusive dressings are contraindicated with topical acne drugs.

4. A sexually active client is starting a systemic acne medication. Which teaching is essential?

   1. Stop the drug only after pregnancy is confirmed.
   2. Increase sun exposure to speed healing.
   3. Use birth control as instructed and avoid pregnancy.
   4. Pregnancy has no effect on acne treatment.

   Answer: Use birth control as instructed and avoid pregnancy.

   Systemic acne drugs can cause embryo-fetal loss and malformations, so clients use birth control as instructed and avoid pregnancy. Sun and UV light are contraindications for topical acne treatment, not a way to speed healing.

5. A 15-year-old stops using his acne cream because his skin looks better. Which factor does the section identify as increasing adherence in adolescents?

   1. Stopping treatment once symptoms improve
   2. Using occlusive dressings
   3. Anticipatory guidance about side effects
   4. Adding more products to the regimen

   Answer: Anticipatory guidance about side effects

   Adolescents often stop early because of improvement, side effects and multiple products; monotherapy, oral medications and anticipatory guidance on side effects can increase adherence. Adding products makes adherence harder.

6. A client is taking an oral antibiotic for acne. Which adverse effects should the nurse monitor for? Select all that apply.

   1. Hair growth on the palms
   2. Skin rashes
   3. Gastrointestinal intolerance
   4. Yeast infections
   5. Hypersensitivity reactions

   Answer: Skin rashes, Gastrointestinal intolerance, Yeast infections, Hypersensitivity reactions

   Systemic acne treatments commonly cause hypersensitivity reactions, yeast infections and gastrointestinal intolerance, and tetracyclines are also associated with skin rashes. Hair growth on the palms is not described.