Final answer:
The corticosteroid cream containing hydrocortisone alleviates symptoms of Penny's rash by suppressing histamine production, which reduces inflammation but does not address the underlying cause. Mometasone 0.1 is the appropriate choice to retain alongside triamcinolone acetonide 0.1 due to similar potency in treating skin conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The corticosteroid cream prescribed to Penny, which contains hydrocortisone, does not treat the underlying cause of her rash but rather the symptoms. Hydrocortisone works by reducing inflammation and temporarily relieving minor skin irritations, itching, and rashes. This is achieved through the suppression of histamine secretion, which is involved in the body's inflammatory response.
Given the choice to retain triamcinolone acetonide 0.1 in a hospital's Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, the most appropriate option to retain alongside it would be mometasone 0.1. These medications are both topical corticosteroids with a similar potency and can be used to treat skin conditions by downregulating the immune system to inhibit the inflammatory response.