Patient Education & Counseling Flashcards

A patient undergoing a punch biopsy asks what to expect during wound care at home. Which instruction is correct?

Answer: Clean gently with mild soap and water, apply petrolatum ointment, and keep covered with a bandage

Moist wound healing with petrolatum and bandaging promotes faster healing and reduces scarring after punch biopsy.

When educating a patient about skin self-examination for early melanoma detection, how often should self-exams be performed?

Answer: Monthly, with a full professional skin exam at least annually

Monthly self-exams help patients track changes early, while annual professional skin checks ensure thorough evaluation of hard-to-see areas.

A patient asks why their dermatologist uses the term 'photosensitivity' when prescribing doxycycline. The best explanation is:

Answer: Doxycycline increases the skin's sensitivity to UV radiation, raising the risk of sunburn

Doxycycline is a known photosensitizer; it increases skin sensitivity to UV radiation, making patients prone to severe sunburns.

Which advice should a dermatology tech provide to a patient who wants to reduce the appearance of stretch marks (striae)?

Answer: Treatments like topical retinoids, pulsed dye laser, or microneedling can improve appearance, but complete elimination is unlikely

Various treatments can fade and improve stretch mark appearance, but patients should understand results are improvement, not full removal.

A patient with a family history of melanoma asks which factor most increases their personal risk. The correct answer is:

Answer: Having many atypical (dysplastic) nevi in addition to a first-degree relative with melanoma

The combination of atypical nevi and a first-degree family member with melanoma significantly elevates personal melanoma risk, warranting more frequent surveillance.

A patient asks whether it is safe to use over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide and a prescription tretinoin at the same time. The correct counseling is:

Answer: Benzoyl peroxide can oxidize and inactivate tretinoin when applied simultaneously; applying them at different times of day is recommended

Benzoyl peroxide oxidizes tretinoin and reduces its efficacy, so tretinoin is best applied at night and benzoyl peroxide in the morning.

When educating a patient about nail psoriasis, which finding should you explain is characteristic of the condition?

Answer: Pitting, onycholysis (nail lifting from the bed), and oil-drop discoloration

Nail psoriasis classically presents with pitting, onycholysis, and yellow-brown 'oil-drop' spots visible beneath the nail plate.