A.T., 16 years of age, was clearing brush with his father when he cut his hand. His mother washed the wound and told him to apply ointment. A.T. checked the family medicine cabinet and applied...

A.T., 16 years of age, was clearing brush with his father when he cut his hand. His mother washed the wound and told him to apply ointment. A.T. checked the family medicine cabinet and applied clotrimazole (Lotrimin) ointment, the only ointment in the cabinet. Two days later, the wound is not better and is very painful. A.T.’s mother takes him to the clinic to have the wound checked. The physician assistant (PA) finds that the laceration wound is deep but does not have any drainage. The wound is irrigated with normal saline, bacitracin is applied, and the wound is closed with adhesive strips and then covered with a loose gauze dressing. The nurse gives A.T. instructions on how to care for the wound and tells him that this wound care is to be done twice a day for 1 week. In addition, the PA suggests that A.T. take vitamin C and zinc supplements for the next month and instructs A.T. not to use the clotrimazole ointment on the wound. 1. Why did the PA apply bacitracin instead of clotrimazole? Explain your answer. 2. What is the purpose of the vitamin C and zinc supplements? 3. The next day, A.T. discovers a rash that covers both his arms and legs. The rash is very itchy, and the skin is red with small bumps. He knows that there was poison ivy in the brush and wants something to stop the itching. What will be suggested? 4. The next evening, as he takes off the dressing to clean his wound, A.T. finds that the area is swollen and more inflamed, with tiny red bumps around the wound. There is no drainage. What do you think has happened, and what will be done?

358:

1. Patient’s skin remains intact and healed in appearance, and skin integrity is maintained.

2. Patient demonstrates adequate knowledge about the use of the medication.

3. Patient remains compliant as related to the drug regimen.