11. Mrs. Laura Quinn has telephoned the pediatric physician’s office stating tha
ID: 93491 • Letter: 1
Question
11. Mrs. Laura Quinn has telephoned the pediatric physician’s office stating that she has received word from her daughter’s school that she has head lice. Mrs. Quinn states that she is “totally embarrassed,” that “we are clean people,” and that she does not understand how such a thing could happen to her daughter. She has been instructed to obtain a topical solution of permethrin to treat the condition.
a. How should the nurse respond to Mrs. Quinn’s embarrassment and to her statement that “we are clean people”?
b. Discuss the instructions that the nurse should give Mrs. Quinn regarding the use of permethrin (include possible cross-sensitivities, dosage, frequency). What additional steps should Mrs. Quinn take in order to eliminate the head lice?
Explanation / Answer
a) The nurse may reduce Mrs. Quinn’s embarrassment by speaking to her about the general causes of lice infection.
Head lice (Pediculosis capitis) is a common parasite observed in the hair of school going children. The nurse may emphasize on the fact that pediculosis does not relate to level of cleanliness or age or socioeconomic status. She may advice her daughter from avoiding sharing of combs, hair ornaments, scarves, caps which are used on head. Mrs. Quinn can take extra care by washing all clothing, towels and linen, car seats, pillow covers, rugs mats in hot water and air dry for 20 min. Also soak combs and hair accessories in antiseptic solution for 10 min or soak in boiling water for 10 min.
b) The following instructions shall help Mrs. Quinn for use of permethrin :
1) Wash hair and scalp clean with a shampoo, preferably a non-conditioning shampoo.
2) Towel-dry the hair and scalp, further allowing it to air dry.
3) Shake the 5% permethrin lotion (1% in case of infants and children) and wear gloves before applying it generously (large volume) on hair, scalp, behind the ears and on the back of the neck. Allow it to stay for 10 min.
4) Next rinse the hair and scalp with cool water and dry with clean towel. After the hair is completely dry, remove nits and lice (Partition hair into sections, take on one section at a time and remove nits carefully in a well lit place in the house).
The procedure can be repeated after 10 days.
Certain adverse effects of this medicine include rash of scalp, numbness or pain in scalp, tingling sensation and erythema.
Related Questions
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.