Question

A nurse is collecting data on a client who has a rash on his chest and upper arms. Which question should the nurse ask in order to obtain more information about the client's rash?

a. "How long have you had the rash?"
b. "Have you ever had a rash before?"
c. "What is your favorite food?"
d. "What is your favorite color?

Answer 1

The nurse should ask "How long have you had the rash?" to obtain information relevant to assessing the rash's condition, onset, and duration, which is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

To obtain more information about the client's rash, the most appropriate question that a nurse should ask is: "How long have you had the rash?" This question is directly relevant to assessing the condition and helps in determining the chronicity and possible causes of the rash. For example, a rash present for a short period could suggest an acute allergic reaction as in the case of Penny, who developed allergic eczema from a new sunscreen. In contrast, a chronic or recurring rash, such as the one experienced by Kerry, may suggest a different underlying issue that persists or is triggered by specific environmental factors, like sunlight exposure. On the other hand, questioning about favorite food or color is irrelevant to the clinical scenario and does not provide useful information about the rash. Clinicians often need comprehensive data, including the onset and duration of the rash as well as any associated symptoms or triggers, to make a correct diagnosis and recommend effective treatment.