Practice Question
A nurse in the emergency department is preparing to discharge a 3-year- old child.
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
"You should cut and file your child's fingernails frequently."
Rationale:
🟢 A. "You should cut and file your child's fingernails frequently."
▪️Short fingernails help prevent skin trauma caused by scratching.
▪️Scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections, particularly from Staphylococcus aureus, which colonizes broken skin.
▪️Filing smooths sharp nail edges, reducing excoriation risk.
▪️This practice is part of standard eczema management in children, where itch-scratch cycles can significantly worsen lesions.
🟢 B. "You should use a mild detergent for your child's laundry."
▪️Harsh detergents and fragranced laundry products can trigger irritation and eczema flare-ups.
▪️Mild, fragrance-free or hypoallergenic detergents reduce the risk of skin barrier disruption.
▪️The National Eczema Association (NEA) recommends avoiding fabric softeners and bleach, which may also exacerbate symptoms.
🟢 D. "Your child will experience occasional flare-ups of this condition."
▪️Atopic dermatitis is chronic and typically follows a relapsing-remitting course.
▪️Flare-ups can be caused by allergens (dust, food, pet dander), temperature changes, or skin dryness.
▪️Education about flare management, triggers, and long-term maintenance is essential for caregiver readiness and consistent control.
🟢 F. "You can apply gloves to your child's hands."
▪️Soft cotton gloves or mittens may help minimize nighttime scratching, which worsens during sleep.
▪️Gloves act as a physical barrier against skin damage and may improve sleep quality by reducing irritability and frequent waking.
▪️They should be used cautiously, ensuring comfort, breathability, and safety (no choking hazard in young children).
🟢 G. "You should apply emollients to your child's skin after bathing."
▪️Applying emollients (moisturizers) immediately after bathing (within 3 minutes) is part of the "soak and seal" method.
▪️Emollients restore the skin barrier, reduce transepidermal water loss, and prevent flare-ups.
▪️Use of fragrance-free, thick moisturizers (like ointments or creams) is highly recommended for daily maintenance and after bathing.
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This question is from RN ATI Pediatric Nursing~2023 B which contains 69 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Pediatrics
- Answer Choices: 7