Antiviral and Ectoparasitic Agents in Aesthetic Nursing

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Questions and Answers

What is the mechanism of action of acyclovir and similar drugs?

They inhibit viral replication (correct)

They stimulate the immune system

They kill infected host cells

They block viral entry into host cells

What type of diseases are herpes viruses associated with?

Only viral encephalitis

A broad spectrum of diseases (correct)

Only genital infections

Only skin infections

What is a characteristic of viruses?

They have a cell wall and cell membrane.

They have a cell wall but no cell membrane.

They lack both a cell wall and cell membrane. (correct)

They have a cell membrane but no cell wall.

When are antiviral drugs effective against herpes viruses?

During the acute phase of viral infections Signup and view all the answers

What type of analogs are acyclovir, valacyclovir, penciclovir, and famciclovir?

Guanine analogs Signup and view all the answers

Against which viruses do acyclovir, valacyclovir, penciclovir, and famciclovir exert their inhibitory activity?

Members of the herpesvirus family, including herpes simplex types 1 and 2 Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended application method for permethrin cream in the treatment of scabies?

Apply from the neck down, leaving it on for 8–14 hours Signup and view all the answers

What is a common side effect of permethrin cream?

Transient burning, stinging, and pruritus Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of crotamiton?

Unknown Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended application method for crotamiton?

Apply to the entire body from the chin down, with a cleansing bath 48 hours after the last application Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of applying a lotion to dry hair and leaving it on for 10 minutes prior to rinsing?

To treat a parasitic infection Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of using sulfur as a scabicide?

It has an unpleasant odor and is staining Signup and view all the answers

What is benzyl alcohol used to treat?

Head lice Signup and view all the answers

What is the main action of keratolytic agents?

To break down the outer layers of the skin Signup and view all the answers

What is the concentration range of salicylic acid that is keratolytic?

3-6% Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential side effect of using high concentrations of salicylic acid?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is a common use of salicylic acid in dermatologic therapy?

Treating localized psoriasis Signup and view all the answers

What is an effect of keratolytic agents on corticosteroid penetration?

Enhanced penetration Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of propylene glycol is used as a keratolytic agent with plastic occlusion?

40-70% Signup and view all the answers

What is a precaution that should be exercised when using the drug on the extremities of certain patients?

Use the drug on the extremities of patients with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease with particular care Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of propylene glycol in topical preparations?

It is a vehicle for organic compounds Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the ways urea increases the water content of the stratum corneum?

By breaking hydrogen bonds Signup and view all the answers

What is the concentration of urea used in creams and lotions as a humectant?

2–20% Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum percentage of propylene glycol that can be used without irritating the skin?

10% Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using a 4% aqueous propylene glycol solution?

To patch test for allergic contact dermatitis Signup and view all the answers

What is the condition in which urea is used in a 20% concentration?

Ichthyosis vulgaris Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of urea on the stratum corneum?

It has a moisturizing effect Signup and view all the answers

What is the property of urea that leads to increased solubilization?

Altering prekeratin and keratin Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of applying 30–50% urea to the nail plate?

To soften the nail prior to avulsion Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Viruses

Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that lack a cell wall and membrane, and don't carry out metabolic processes.
Viruses use the host's metabolic machinery, making it challenging to find selective drugs that prevent viral replication without harming infected host cells.

Herpes Virus Infection

Herpes viruses are associated with a broad spectrum of diseases, including cold sores, viral encephalitis, and genital infections.
Effective drugs against herpes viruses exert their actions during the acute phase of viral infections, with no effect during the latent phase.

Topical Antiviral Agents

Acyclovir, valacyclovir, penciclovir, and famciclovir are synthetic guanine analogs that inhibit herpesvirus family members, including herpes simplex types 1 and 2.
Permethrin is a topical antiparasitic agent used to treat scabies; a single application of 5% cream is applied to the body from the neck down, left on for 8-14 hours, and then washed off.

Crotamiton

Crotamiton is a scabicide with antipruritic properties, but its mechanism of action is unknown.
It's available as a 10% cream or lotion, and treatment involves two applications to the entire body from the chin down at 24-hour intervals, with a cleansing bath 48 hours after the last application.

Sulfur

Sulfur has a long history as a scabicide, but it's non-irritating, has an unpleasant odor, and is staining.
It remains an alternative drug for use in infants and pregnant women, available as 5% precipitated sulfur in petrolatum.

Benzyl Alcohol

Benzyl alcohol is available as a 5% lotion for the treatment of head lice in patients older than 6 months.
The lotion is applied to dry hair and left on for 10 minutes prior to rinsing off with water, and the treatment must be repeated after 7 days.

Keratolytic and Destructive Agents

Keratolytics break down the outer layers of the skin, including salicylic acid (2%-10%), urea (20%-40%), and alpha-hydroxy acids (glycolic and lactic acids).
Keratolytic agents are effective in localized psoriasis, especially on the scalp, and improve corticosteroid penetration.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a keratolytic agent used extensively in dermatologic therapy.
It produces its keratolytic and therapeutic effects by solubilizing cell surface proteins that keep the stratum corneum intact, resulting in desquamation of keratotic debris.

Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol is used extensively in topical preparations as a vehicle for organic compounds.
It's an effective keratolytic agent for the removal of hyperkeratotic debris, and increases the water content of the stratum corneum.

Urea

Urea has a softening and moisturizing effect on the stratum corneum, making creams and lotions feel less greasy.
It increases the water content of the stratum corneum, and is also keratolytic, breaking down prekeratin and keratin and solubilizing hydrogen bonds that keep the stratum corneum intact.

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Description

This quiz covers topical antiviral and ectoparasitic infections, as well as keratolytic agents, specifically in the context of aesthetic nursing. It explores the characteristics of viruses and their interactions with host cells. Test your knowledge of these important concepts in nursing.