An elderly client with diabetes mellitus is taught how to care for the carbuncle on her foot and to prevent the spread of infection. What is the most important action to prevent the spread of infection?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Wash hands before and after applying a topical medication. This is crucial to prevent the spread of infection as proper hand hygiene reduces the risk of introducing harmful bacteria to the wound. Cold wet soaks (A) do not address hand hygiene and may not be effective in preventing infection. Proper disposal of soiled material (B) is important but not the most critical action for preventing infection. The use of an antiseptic solution (D) is helpful, but without proper hand hygiene, the risk of spreading infection remains high.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because malignant melanomas typically present as non-keratotic and soft lesions. Choice B is correct as melanomas arise from melanocytes. Choice C is correct as melanoma has a high mortality rate. Choice D is correct as melanomas often have irregular color and asymmetric shape.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Warty, irregular papules or plaques. Seborrheic keratosis is a common benign skin growth characterized by warty, raised, and often brown or black lesions. These growths have a stuck-on appearance and may be smooth or rough. They are not associated with white patchy yeast infections (choice A), excessive turnover of epithelial cells (choice C), or deep inflammation of subcutaneous tissue (choice D). The key characteristics of seborrheic keratosis are the warty and irregular nature of the lesions, which differentiate it from other skin conditions.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Warm oatmeal baths. Oatmeal has soothing properties and helps to soften scales and crusts, making it easier to remove them gently without causing further damage to the skin. The warm temperature of the bath also helps in loosening the scales. B: Warm saline dressings are more suitable for wound cleansing or promoting wound healing, not specifically for debridement of scales and crusts. C: Cool sodium bicarbonate baths may help with itching and inflammation but may not effectively promote the removal of scales and crusts. D: Cool magnesium sulfate dressings are more commonly used for wound healing and managing inflammation, not specifically for debridement of skin lesions.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Ever-changing. When assessing a suspicious skin lesion, the feature of ever-changing is crucial as it indicates the possibility of malignancy or skin cancer. Skin lesions that evolve or change in size, shape, color, or symptoms over time are concerning and require further evaluation. This feature is important for early detection and prompt treatment of skin cancers. A: Edema is not typically a characteristic feature of a suspicious skin lesion. B: Erythema refers to redness of the skin and is not specific to assessing skin lesions for malignancy. C: Elevation may or may not be present in a suspicious skin lesion and is not as significant as the feature of ever-changing. In summary, the correct answer, D: Ever-changing, is crucial in assessing suspicious skin lesions for possible malignancy, while the other choices are not as indicative of skin cancer.