Topical Medication Administration Flashcards
7 cards from real CDT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Topical Medication Administration flashcards as text
When teaching a patient to apply topical medication, which handwashing instruction is correct?
Answer: Wash hands before and after applying topical medication
Patients should wash hands both before (to prevent contaminating the medication or wound) and after (to avoid spreading medication to other areas or mucous membranes) application.
The Fitzpatrick skin type scale is relevant to topical medication administration because:
Answer: Skin type affects pigmentation risk with certain topical agents
Fitzpatrick skin type is relevant because certain topical agents (e.g., hydroquinone, retinoids) carry higher risks of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or dyspigmentation in darker skin types.
A patient develops a rash in a ring pattern at the site of topical medication application. This most likely indicates:
Answer: Allergic contact dermatitis to a formulation ingredient
A ring-patterned rash at the application site is a classic presentation of allergic contact dermatitis, often caused by preservatives, fragrances, or other inactive ingredients in the formulation.
Which statement about topical antibiotic resistance is accurate?
Answer: Prolonged use of topical antibiotics can promote bacterial resistance
Prolonged or inappropriate use of topical antibiotics, such as erythromycin and clindamycin, can promote antibiotic-resistant strains of Cutibacterium acnes and other skin bacteria.
Occlusive dressings applied over a topical medication will:
Answer: Increase transdermal drug absorption
Occlusive dressings increase skin hydration and temperature, which significantly enhances transdermal absorption of topical medications — up to 10-fold for some agents.
Which topical agent is a first-line treatment for tinea pedis (athlete's foot)?
Answer: Topical clotrimazole
Clotrimazole is a topical azole antifungal that is a standard first-line treatment for tinea pedis, effectively targeting dermatophyte fungi.
A dermatology patient is prescribed topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). This medication is used to treat:
Answer: Actinic keratoses and superficial basal cell carcinoma
Topical 5-fluorouracil is a chemotherapeutic agent used for actinic keratoses and certain non-melanoma skin cancers by inhibiting DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells.