ATI Nursing Care of Children 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

When using topical anesthesia for a child, one important consideration is that it needs to be covered with an occlusive dressing. This is crucial because an occlusive dressing helps to enhance the absorption of the anesthetic agent through the skin, making it more effective. By preventing the anesthetic from evaporating and maintaining moisture, the dressing also helps to ensure that the areas receiving anesthesia reach the desired level of effect before the procedure begins.

In the context of pediatric care, this practice is particularly important because children's skin can be more sensitive, and effective pain management before procedures can help reduce anxiety and improve overall outcomes. Properly applying the dressing allows for a more effective and safer use of topical anesthetics, providing the needed pain relief while minimizing potential side effects associated with inadequate absorption.

Considering the other choices, while it is true that topical anesthetics should be applied shortly before a procedure to ensure maximum effectiveness, the timing alone does not guarantee efficacy without proper occlusion. Applying anesthetics to large areas could lead to systemic absorption and increased risk of side effects, making it a less viable option. Lastly, the assertion that topical anesthetics can be applied at any time prior to the procedure disregards the necessity for optimal absorption timeframes, which is better facilitated with oc