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
The fingertip unit (FTU) measurement is used to:
Answer: Standardize the amount of topical cream applied to a body area
One fingertip unit (the amount of cream squeezed from the tip to first crease of an adult index finger) equals about 0.5 g and is used to guide how much cream to apply to specific body areas.
Which topical medication class is most commonly associated with skin atrophy with long-term use?
Answer: Topical corticosteroids
Long-term use of topical corticosteroids can cause skin atrophy, telangiectasia, and striae due to the inhibition of collagen synthesis.
A patient is using a high-potency topical corticosteroid on the face. The dermatology technician should educate the patient about the risk of:
Answer: Perioral dermatitis and rosacea flares
High-potency corticosteroids used on the face can trigger perioral dermatitis and worsen rosacea; face applications typically require low-potency agents.
When should a patient apply a topical medication prescribed 'twice daily'?
Answer: At two evenly spaced intervals throughout the day
Twice daily dosing should ideally be spaced approximately 12 hours apart for consistent therapeutic drug levels in the skin.
Topical minoxidil is primarily used to treat:
Answer: Androgenetic alopecia
Topical minoxidil is FDA-approved for androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) in both men and women and works by prolonging the anagen phase of hair growth.
Which instruction is correct for a patient applying topical tretinoin for the first time?
Answer: Apply a pea-sized amount at night to dry skin
Tretinoin is applied at night using a pea-sized amount to dry skin (to reduce irritation), as it is photosensitizing and degrades in sunlight.
A gel formulation is typically preferred over an ointment for acne-prone areas because gels:
Answer: Are water-based and less likely to clog pores
Gels are typically water- or alcohol-based, making them non-comedogenic and preferable for acne-prone or oily skin where ointments could clog pores.