Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which action should be taken if a child with head lice is treated but still has nits that are far from the scalp?

1. Use an over-the-counter treatment again

2. Visit a specialist for further treatment

3. Ignore the nits as they are likely non-viable

4. Use a prescription oral medication

The correct answer is: Ignore the nits as they are likely non-viable

The rationale for choosing to ignore the nits that are far from the scalp lies in understanding the life cycle of head lice and the nature of nits. Nits are the eggs laid by adult lice, and when they are found close to the scalp, they are typically viable and indicate an active infestation. However, nits that are located further from the scalp are usually older and have already hatched, which means they are unlikely to pose a risk of reinfestation. In practice, treating head lice involves not only applying a pediculicide but also meticulously removing nits to prevent the lifecycle from continuing. However, if nits are too far from the scalp, it is reasonable to consider that they are not currently viable and do not warrant additional treatment or concern. Thus, it would be appropriate to monitor the situation instead of taking further action, as the presence of non-viable nits does not indicate a current infestation.