Question

An infant has a severe contact diaper dermatitis. The provider orders triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog) 0.1% cream to be applied 3 times daily. When teaching the infant's parents about this medication, the nurse will instruct them to apply:

- a thick layer and massage the cream into the skin.
- a thin layer and leave the diaper open as much as possible
- the cream and place an occlusive dressing over the area.
- the cream and put the infant's diaper on tightly

Answer 1

The nurse should instruct the infant's parents to apply a thin layer of triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog) 0.1% cream and keep the diaper area as open as possible for healing.

Step-by-step explanation:

When teaching the parents of an infant with severe contact diaper dermatitis about applying triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog) 0.1% cream, the nurse should instruct them to apply a thin layer of the cream to the affected area and leave the diaper open as much as possible to help promote healing. Triamcinolone acetonide is a corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms such as redness, swelling, and itching. Occlusive dressings or tight diapers should be avoided, as they can lead to further irritation or create an environment conducive to infection. Applying a thin layer is important to ensure medication efficacy and reduce the risk of side effects.