The nurse instructs the mother of a school-age child with lice to prevent reinfestation. What should the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)

Question

Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

1. Comb the infested area after the hair has been dried.
2. Inspect hair shafts daily for at least 1 week after treatment.
3. All material coming in close contact with the patient should be washed or treated with the medication.
4. Cut the hair of the child to 1 inch.
5. Retreat the hair in 30 days.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1, 2, 3

Rationale 1: Patients should comb the infested area after the hair has been dried.
Rationale 2: To ensure that drug therapy is effective, patients should inspect hair shafts daily for at least 1 week after treatment.
Rationale 3: Because nits can be present in bedding and other upholstery material, all material coming in close contact with the patient should be washed or treated with the medication.
Rationale 4: Cut the hair of the child to 1 inch is incorrect because this is not necessary to treat lice.
Rationale 5: Retreat the hair in 30 days is incorrect because the head should be retreated in7 days.

Global Rationale: Patients should comb the infested area after the hair has been dried. To ensure that drug therapy is effective, patients should inspect hair shafts daily for at least 1 week after treatment. Because nits can be present in bedding and other upholstery material, all material coming in close contact with the patient should be washed or treated with the medication. Cut the hair of the child to 1 inch is incorrect because this is not necessary to treat lice. Retreat the hair in 30 days is incorrect because he head should be retreated in 7 days.