A nurse is providing teaching to an adolescent who has methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) folliculitis on their face. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

Choice A reason: Discarding disposable razors after one week of use is not sufficient for infection control in MRSA folliculitis. MRSA is highly contagious and can spread through contaminated personal items. The recommendation is to discard razors after each use to prevent re-inoculation of bacteria and transmission to others. Keeping a razor for a week allows bacterial colonization and increases the risk of spreading infection to new areas of the skin or to other individuals. Therefore, this statement is incorrect because it does not meet the strict hygiene requirements necessary for MRSA management.

Choice B reason: Continuing to participate in contact sports is unsafe for an adolescent with MRSA folliculitis. MRSA spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact and shared equipment, both of which are common in contact sports. Allowing participation increases the risk of transmitting MRSA to teammates and others. Public health guidelines emphasize restricting participation until the infection is fully treated and lesions are healed. Thus, this statement is inappropriate and incorrect because it disregards infection control measures.

Choice C reason: Applying over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream daily is not recommended for MRSA folliculitis. Corticosteroids suppress local immune responses and can worsen bacterial infections by reducing inflammation without addressing the underlying pathogen. MRSA requires targeted antimicrobial therapy, not corticosteroid treatment. Using hydrocortisone could delay healing, increase bacterial proliferation, and potentially worsen the infection. Therefore, this statement is incorrect because it promotes an unsafe and ineffective treatment approach.

Choice D reason: Changing clothing daily and washing it in hot water is the correct teaching for an adolescent with MRSA folliculitis. MRSA can survive on fabrics and surfaces, making clothing a potential reservoir for reinfection or transmission. Hot water laundering helps kill bacteria and reduces contamination risk. Daily clothing changes prevent prolonged bacterial contact with the skin and minimize spread to household members. This recommendation aligns with infection control practices and is the most appropriate teaching statement for preventing recurrence and transmission.