Final answer:
The nurse practitioner should advise a patient prescribed tretinoin to use sunscreen due to increased photosensitivity and not expect significant improvement in acne within one week.
Step-by-step explanation:
When prescribing tretinoin (Retin-A) for acne treatment, it's important for the nurse practitioner to advise the patient to use a sunscreen because the drug can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, which is referred to as being photosensitizing.
This increased photosensitivity can lead to quicker and more severe sunburns. It's also essential to manage patient expectations regarding the effectiveness of the treatment. They should not anticipate a significant improvement in acne lesions after only one week of use; more time is typically needed for the medication to take full effect and for skin improvement to become noticeable.
Mild acne might respond to over-the-counter products containing benzoyl peroxide, which can also be used along with tretinoin, but not necessarily to minimize irritation. In fact, it could potentially increase irritation, so it's typically recommended to exercise caution when combining products unless directed by a healthcare provider. Also, adding a sulfa-based cream is not a standard enhancement for anti-acne effects in the case of tretinoin use. Treatment of severe acne cases might require stronger medications such as isotretinoin and professional therapies like laser treatments, but these options come with their own sets of precautions and potential side effects.