Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has deep partial and full-thickness burns and requires a topical antimicrobial drug. The nurse should reinforce with the client that the goal of this medication therapy is to reduce which of the following outcomes? a) Pruritus (itching) b) Infection c) Pain d) Scarring

Answer 1

B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The goal of using topical antimicrobial drugs in the care of clients with deep partial and full-thickness burns is primarily to reduce the risk of infection. Burn injuries can compromise the skin's protective barrier, making the client susceptible to bacterial colonization and infection. Topical antimicrobial medications are used to prevent or treat infection in the burn wound.

While topical antimicrobial medications can have other benefits, such as reducing pain (c) and potentially minimizing scarring (d) by promoting optimal wound healing, their primary purpose in this context is infection prevention and management. Pruritus (itching) (a) may be a symptom of healing but is not the primary focus of using antimicrobial agents for burn care.