Page 897 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

Box 29-2

Assessment Findings: Pediculosis Capitis (Lice)

▪ Child scratches scalp excessively.
▪ Pruritus is caused by the crawling insect and insect saliva on the skin.
▪ Nits (white eggs) are observable on the hair shaft (it is important to differentiate
nits from lint or dandruff, which flakes away easily).
▪ Adult lice are difficult to see and appear as small tan or grayish specks, which
may crawl quickly.

Box 29-3
Assessment Findings: Scabies

▪ Pruritic papular rash
▪ Burrows into the skin (fine grayish red lines that may be difficult to see)

FIG. 29-2 Scabies rash on an infant. (From Calen et al., 1993. Courtesy Dr. Steve Estes.)

897