Question

A young adult asks the nurse in the AIDS clinic what to do for the multiple small, painless purplish-brown spots on the right leg and ankle. The nurse should instruct the client to take which of the following actions? 1) Clean the spots carefully with soap and warm water twice a week, and cover them with a sterile dressing. 2) Clean the lesions twice a day with a diluted solution of povidone-iodine (Betadine), and leave them open to the air. 3) Shower daily using a mild soap from a pump dispenser, and pat the skin dry. 4) Soak in a warm tub three times a day, and rub the spots with a wasHClOth.

Answer 1

A young adult with AIDS and purplish-brown spots should shower daily with mild soap and pat the skin dry, focusing on cleanliness and careful monitoring of the lesions. Option 3 is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a young adult asks the nurse in the AIDS clinic what to do for multiple small, painless purplish-brown spots on the leg and ankle, proper care is essential. Such lesions may be indicative of Kaposi's sarcoma, a common complication associated with AIDS. Based on the given scenarios, the most appropriate course of action would be:

Practice personal hygiene by showering daily with a mild soap, preferably from a pump dispenser to avoid contamination.

Carefully pat the skin dry after washing to keep the lesions clean without causing additional irritation.

Monitor the spots for changes and report any significant alterations or worsening to a healthcare provider.

This approach maintains skin integrity and prevents infection, following the general guidelines of wound care provided in the clinical focus scenarios.

The young adult with multiple small, painless purplish-brown spots on the right leg and ankle should be instructed to clean the lesions twice a day with a diluted solution of povidone-iodine (Betadine), and leave them open to the air.

Learn more about Kaposi's sarcoma care