A nurse is planning to teach a group of newly licensed nurses about communicable skin infections. Which of the following skin disorders should the nurse identify as being transmitted person-to-person?

A) Use petroleum jelly on a cotton ball to plug your ear when shampooing.
This technique helps prevent water from entering the ear during activities like showering. While it is useful for keeping the ear dry, it does not directly address preventing trauma or further hearing impairment post-surgery.

B) Clean dried blood in your ear canal with a cotton-tipped applicator.
Using cotton-tipped applicators can cause damage to the delicate ear canal and potentially disturb the surgical site. This action increases the risk of infection and trauma, potentially worsening hearing loss instead of preventing it.

C) Avoid blowing your nose for 1 month after surgery.
Refraining from nose blowing is essential because it prevents pressure changes that could disrupt the surgical repair. Such pressure changes can lead to complications like graft displacement, which can cause trauma and impair hearing.

D) Notify your provider if you have popping or crackling sensations in the affected ear.
Popping or crackling can be common as the ear heals and adjusts. These sensations typically do not indicate a problem unless accompanied by pain or other symptoms. Thus, while monitoring is important, it is not a primary preventative measure for trauma or hearing issues.

A) "Central vision loss is affected first.": This statement is accurate as macular degeneration primarily affects the macula, which is responsible for central vision. Clients with macular degeneration typically experience a loss of central vision first, which can severely impact activities such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces.

B) "Straining during a bowel movement can increase the progression of the disease.": This statement is not supported by evidence related to macular degeneration. While general health and avoiding strain are important, there is no specific connection between straining during bowel movements and the progression of macular degeneration.

C) "Plan to include high doses of Vitamin E in your diet.": Although antioxidants like Vitamin E can be beneficial for eye health, especially in the context of a balanced diet including other vitamins and minerals, there is no specific recommendation for high doses of Vitamin E alone to manage macular degeneration. The AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) formulation includes a combination of vitamins and minerals.

D) "Remove glasses before performing the Amsler grid test at home.": When using the Amsler grid test to monitor for changes in vision due to macular degeneration, clients should wear their glasses or contact lenses to ensure they are viewing the grid with their usual visual correction. This helps in accurately detecting any distortions or changes in vision.