CCA Adhesives & Retention Systems 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended skin preparation sequence BEFORE applying medical-grade adhesive for a facial prosthesis?
- Apply moisturizing lotion to reduce friction during placement
- Cleanse with soap and water, rinse thoroughly, then degrease with isopropyl alcohol (Correct answer)
- Apply petroleum jelly to protect sensitive skin areas first
- Exfoliate vigorously with an abrasive scrub immediately before application
Correct answer: Cleanse with soap and water, rinse thoroughly, then degrease with isopropyl alcohol
Cleansing removes particulate debris while subsequent degreasing with isopropyl alcohol removes oils and residual skin care products, creating a clean surface for optimal adhesive bonding.
Question 2: A patient reports that their facial prosthesis repeatedly detaches within 2–3 hours of application despite using adequate adhesive volume. The MOST likely cause is:
- The prosthesis is too heavy for adhesive retention
- The adhesive brand has expired
- Insufficient degreasing of the skin prior to adhesive application (Correct answer)
- The prosthesis color does not match the patient's skin tone
Correct answer: Insufficient degreasing of the skin prior to adhesive application
Residual skin oils or cosmetic products left on the skin surface prevent effective adhesive contact, causing early bond failure even when the adhesive is applied correctly and in adequate quantity.
Question 3: How should a patient with radiation-damaged peri-orbital skin be counseled regarding adhesive retention for an orbital prosthesis?
- Use stronger, more aggressive adhesives to compensate for reduced skin integrity
- Rely solely on spectacle frame retention and avoid all adhesive contact
- Use the gentlest compatible adhesive with careful daily monitoring for skin breakdown (Correct answer)
- Defer prosthetic wear entirely until radiation effects fully resolve
Correct answer: Use the gentlest compatible adhesive with careful daily monitoring for skin breakdown
Radiation-damaged skin is fragile and susceptible to breakdown, so the gentlest appropriate adhesive with vigilant daily skin inspection is the recommended approach to balance retention needs with tissue protection.
Question 4: What is the recommended frequency for removing and reapplying an adhesive-retained facial prosthesis to maintain skin health?
- Weekly
- Every 2–3 days
- Daily, or as clinically directed (Correct answer)
- Only when the prosthesis begins to detach spontaneously
Correct answer: Daily, or as clinically directed
Daily removal allows thorough cleansing of both the prosthesis and the skin, inspection for early signs of irritation, and complete removal of adhesive residue to prevent cumulative skin damage.
Question 5: When fitting a patient for an adhesive-retained nasal prosthesis, which competency is MOST essential to verify before discharge?
- The patient can describe the adhesive chemical composition
- The patient can independently apply and remove the prosthesis and perform daily skin care (Correct answer)
- A caregiver is available to apply the prosthesis each morning
- The prosthesis can be worn continuously for one week before first removal
Correct answer: The patient can independently apply and remove the prosthesis and perform daily skin care
Patient independence in application, removal, and skin care is the critical outcome of prosthetic rehabilitation — it ensures safety, hygiene, and long-term success without dependence on clinical visits.
Question 6: Which type of retention aid is commonly applied along the thin peripheral edges of a silicone facial prosthesis to improve the peripheral seal and feathered edge adherence?
- Zinc oxide paste
- Medical-grade adhesive applied to the prosthesis edge and adjacent skin margin (Correct answer)
- Petroleum-based sealant
- Liquid latex blended into the prosthesis margin
Correct answer: Medical-grade adhesive applied to the prosthesis edge and adjacent skin margin
Applying medical-grade adhesive specifically along the thin feathered margin ensures the delicate edge adheres smoothly to the skin, improving cosmetic blending and preventing edge lifting.
Question 7: A patient reports skin redness and mild blistering at the prosthesis margin after one week of wear. The FIRST clinical step is to:
- Switch to a stronger adhesive to reduce application frequency
- Discontinue adhesive use permanently and refer to plastic surgery
- Investigate potential adhesive allergy, technique errors, and skin condition before modifying the protocol (Correct answer)
- Apply additional adhesive over the irritated area to protect it
Correct answer: Investigate potential adhesive allergy, technique errors, and skin condition before modifying the protocol
A systematic investigation identifying whether the reaction is allergic, irritant-contact, or technique-related is essential before making protocol changes, as the cause determines the correct intervention.
CCA Adhesives & Retention Systems 2
What is the recommended skin preparation sequence BEFORE applying medical-grade adhesive for a facial prosthesis?