Practice Question
A nurse is reviewing the mechanisms of action for medications prescribed to a client who has acne vulgaris. Which of the following medications should the nurse understand as having keratolytic effects that aid in the removal of excess skin cells?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Tretinoin
Rationale:
🟩 Tretinoin is a topical retinoid that promotes keratolytic activity by increasing epidermal cell turnover.
🟩 It works by loosening keratinocyte cohesion, allowing excess dead skin cells to shed more effectively.
🟩 This action helps unclog hair follicles, preventing formation of comedones in acne vulgaris.
🟩 Tretinoin also supports normalization of follicular epithelial desquamation, a key process in acne management.
🟩 Because of these effects, it is commonly prescribed as a first-line topical therapy for acne.
Hydrocortisone
🟩 Hydrocortisone is a topical corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation and itching.
🟩 It does not promote exfoliation or removal of excess skin cells.
Azithromycin
🟩 Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that reduces acne by decreasing bacterial load.
🟩 It has no effect on keratinocyte turnover or exfoliation.
Loratadine
🟩 Loratadine is an antihistamine used to treat allergic symptoms.
🟩 It does not act on skin cell turnover or follicular keratinization.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: Examplify Exam(s)
- Domain: Fundamentals
- Answer Choices: 4