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The "Clinical Snapshot" series provides a concise examination of a clinical presentation including history, treatment, patient education, and nursing measure s. Using the format here, you are invited to submit your "Clinical Snapshot" to Dermatology Nursing.
History: Case study 1. An 83-year-old female presented with complaints of a burning and tingling sensation behind her right shoulder, followed 1 day later by an eruption of an erythematous rash which originated behind her right shoulder and extended down her right arm, hand, and fingers (see Figures 1-3). There were multiple clusters of grouped vesicular lesions following a linear pattern along dermatomes C5, C6, and C7. The lesions were evolving from maculopapular to vesicular lesions approximately 1 to 5 mm in size. There were no signs of infection. The patient complained of intense pain and denied exposure to poison ivy, oak, or sumac, or any other irritating exposure out of her ordinary routine. She was unsure about recent exposure to chickenpox and denied any compromise of her immune system. She had been using hydrocortisone 0.5% cream with only minimal relief.
Case study 2. A 70-year-old male presented with complaints of a rash on his left buttock and the back of his left thigh (see Figure 4). He reported a sharp, stabbing pain at the top of the posterior left leg and down the posterior leg 2 days prior to the eruption of the rash. He also experienced chills at that time. He denied any exposure to harsh or irritating allergens or substances. He had been applying body lotion to the rash with no relief. The erythematous maculopapular and vesicular lesions were evolving and spreading in clustered groups from his left buttock at dermatome S3 and going down the posterior left leg, following dermatome S2, and ending at mid-calf, with no signs of infection.
Case study 3. A 46-year-old female presented with complaints of a stinging pain on the left side of her back, followed the next day by an eruption of red bumps which became more pronounced and raised over the next several days (see Figure 5). The pain became bothersome and interfered with sleep....