Instructions for decongestant nose drops should include what recommendation?

The correct answer is choice A: Avoiding use for more than 3 days.

Choice A rationale:

Recommending avoiding the use of decongestant nose drops for more than 3 days is crucial due to the risk of rebound congestion. Decongestant nose drops work by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages to alleviate congestion. Prolonged use can lead to a phenomenon known as rebound congestion, where the nasal passages become more congested once the medication wears off, causing the person to use the drops more frequently. This can result in a cycle of worsening congestion and overuse of the medication, which can be counterproductive and harmful. Limiting the use of decongestant nose drops to 3 days helps prevent this rebound effect and encourages the use of alternative treatments if congestion persists.

Choice B rationale:

Administering drops until nasal congestion subsides is not the recommended approach. Prolonged use of decongestant nose drops can lead to rebound congestion, as mentioned earlier. Using the drops until congestion subsides might extend their use beyond the safe period and increase the risk of adverse effects.

Choice C rationale:

Keeping drops to use again for nasal congestion is not advised. While it's important to follow the medication's storage instructions, relying on decongestant nose drops for recurring nasal congestion can lead to overuse and rebound congestion. This choice does not address the potential risks associated with prolonged use.

Choice D rationale:

Administering drops after feedings and at bedtime is not a standard recommendation for decongestant nose drops. The timing of administration is not a primary concern in the context of decongestant use. Instead, the focus should be on the duration of use and the potential for rebound congestion.

The correct answer is choice B: Lesions may extend to hairline or neck.

Choice A rationale:

Central clearing is not a prominent indicator of Tinea capitis. Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp and hair shafts, commonly caused by dermatophytes like Trichophyton species. The characteristic features include scaling, erythema, pustules, and hair loss. Unlike some other fungal infections, Tinea capitis does not typically have central clearing.

Choice B rationale:

Lesions extending to the hairline or neck is a correct aspect to include in education about Tinea capitis. The infection usually starts as small, scaly patches on the scalp and can progress to larger areas. It can extend to the hairline, neck, and even eyebrows and eyelashes. This is important information to convey to ensure proper recognition and timely treatment.

Choice C rationale:

Transmission of Tinea capitis mostly occurs from human-to-human rather than from dogs. While some animals can carry fungal infections that affect the skin, Tinea capitis is primarily spread through direct contact with an infected person or contaminated objects like combs, hats, and pillows.

Choice D rationale:

The appearance of Tinea capitis is not usually unilateral. This condition often presents with multiple, scattered areas of involvement on the scalp. It can cause varying degrees of inflammation, scaling, and hair loss in different areas, which may not follow a unilateral pattern.