Comprehensive Nursing Pharmacology Q 259

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Pediculicides are used to treat which of the following disorders?

  

     A. Scabies

     B. Fungal infections

     C. Viral infections

     D. Head lice

    

    

Correct Answer: D. Head lice

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Pediculicides are an effective treatment for head lice. An anti-parasite medication used to treat head lice, onchocerciasis, strongyloidiasis, ascariasis, trichuriasis, and enterobiasis.

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Option A: Scabicides are used to treat scabies. Products used to treat scabies are called scabicides because they kill scabies mites; some also kill mite eggs. Scabicides used to treat human scabies are available only with a doctor’s prescription. No “over-the-counter” (non-prescription) products have been tested and approved to treat scabies.

Option B: Antifungals are used to treat fungal infections. An antifungal medication, also known as an antimycotic medication, is a pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent mycosis such as athlete’s foot, ringworm, candidiasis (thrush), serious systemic infections such as cryptococcal meningitis, and others.

Option C: Antivirals are used to treat viral infections. Antivirals are medications that reduce the ability of flu viruses to multiply. The CDC considers antiviral drugs as a “second line of defense against the flu.” The first line of defense is getting an annual flu vaccine. When taken at the onset of flu, these drugs help decrease the severity and duration of flu symptoms.

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