Physiological Adaptation Q 124
Which of the following strategies is not effective for the prevention of Lyme disease?
A. Insect repellant on the skin and clothes when in a Lyme endemic area.
B. Long sleeved shirts and long pants.
C. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy prior to anticipated exposure to ticks.
D. Careful examination of skin and hair for ticks following anticipated exposure.
Correct Answer: C. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy prior to anticipated exposure to ticks.
Prophylactic use of antibiotics is not indicated to prevent Lyme disease. Antibiotics are used only when symptoms develop following a tick bite. Specific treatment is dependent upon the age of the patient and stage of the disease. For patients older than 8 years of age with early, localized disease, doxycycline is recommended for 10 days. Patients under the age of 8 should receive amoxicillin or cefuroxime for 14 days to avoid the potential for tooth staining caused by tetracycline use in young children.
Option A: Insect repellant should be used on skin and clothing when exposure is anticipated. While there are many repellants on the market, it is best to avoid them as the risk of harm is greater than any benefit. If one is going to use a repellant, DEET is the one product that is safe, however, it is not 100% effective.
Option B: Clothing should be designed to cover as much exposed area as possible to provide an effective barrier. The outdoors person should be told to wear appropriate garments and be familiar with the skin features of the tick bite. The nurse should educate the patient on how to remove the tick from the skin and when to seek medical assistance.
Option D: Close examination of skin and hair can reveal the presence of a tick before a bite occurs. Nurses should educate parents on how to inspect their children for ticks at the end of an outdoor event, in an endemic area. Pets can also develop Lyme disease and carry the tick. Hence, pet owners should examine their pets on a regular basis and remove the tick. There is no risk of acquiring Lyme disease by removing the tick.