A patient is prescribed oral acyclovir for type 1 herpes simplex virus. What is the expected outcome if the patient is compliant with the medication regimen?

1. A. How many people live in your home?

   This question pertains to social and environmental factors but is not directly related to assessing skin inflammation on the chest. While social factors can impact overall health, such as stress levels or exposure to infectious agents, the number of people living in the client's home is unlikely to be directly related to a new skin inflammation unless there are specific circumstances, such as sharing personal care products or close contact with others who have similar skin issues.

   B. Did you have a recent exposure to irritants?

   This question is highly relevant to assessing a new skin inflammation on the chest. Exposure to irritants or allergens can trigger or worsen skin conditions, such as contact dermatitis or allergic reactions. By asking about recent exposure to potential irritants like new detergents, soaps, fabrics, chemicals, or environmental factors, the nurse can gather important information to identify possible triggers for the skin inflammation.

   C. Is nausea associated with your rash?

   Nausea is typically not directly associated with a skin rash or inflammation unless there is a systemic condition or allergic reaction causing both symptoms. While it's important to assess for any systemic signs or symptoms that may be related to the skin condition, such as fever or malaise, specifically asking about nausea may not provide relevant information about the skin inflammation on the chest.

   D. What is your body mass index?

   Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body weight relative to height and is not directly related to assessing a new skin inflammation on the chest. While obesity or changes in body weight can sometimes contribute to skin issues, such as friction-related dermatitis or hormonal changes affecting skin health, BMI alone is not a primary assessment parameter for localized skin conditions unless there are specific concerns related to weight-related skin problems.

A. Superficial infections are caused by fungus.

While fungal infections can indeed cause superficial skin infections like tinea (ringworm) or candidiasis, they are not the common factor for the etiology and pathophysiology of folliculitis, furuncles, and carbuncles. These conditions primarily involve bacterial infections of the hair follicles, typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

B. Parasites get underneath the skin.

Parasitic infections can cause various skin conditions, but they are not the common factor for folliculitis, furuncles, and carbuncles. These conditions are specifically related to bacterial infections of the hair follicles rather than parasitic infestations.

C. Hair follicles are infected or inflamed.

This is the correct choice and the common factor for folliculitis, furuncles, and carbuncles. All three conditions involve the infection or inflammation of hair follicles, primarily due to Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Folliculitis is the inflammation of one or more hair follicles, furuncles are deeper infections involving the hair follicle and surrounding tissue, and carbuncles are clusters of interconnected furuncles with deeper tissue involvement.

D. There is an allergic response to an allergen.

An allergic response to an allergen does not play a role in the etiology and pathophysiology of folliculitis, furuncles, and carbuncles. These conditions are primarily infectious in nature, involving bacterial colonization and subsequent inflammation of the hair follicles rather than an allergic response.