PUVA therapy is commonly used in the management of:

Appeared in: DSSSB 13 August 2024

Explanation

PUVA stands for Psoralen plus Ultraviolet A, a form of photochemotherapy.
This therapy is used for severe psoriasis, a condition characterized by rapid, uncontrolled skin cell growth.
The patient takes psoralen, a photosensitizing drug, which is then activated by UVA light.
This process slows down the excessive proliferation of epidermal cells, helping to clear the psoriatic plaques.
It is typically considered when topical treatments are ineffective.

Option B: Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
Option C: A phobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by an irrational fear of an object or situation.
Option D: A pulmonary embolism is a blockage of an artery in the lungs, usually by a blood clot.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Photochemotherapy (PUVA) for Psoriasis helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses must educate patients undergoing PUVA therapy about rigorous sun protection, including wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen and UV-protective sunglasses, as psoralen makes the entire body highly sensitive to UV light for several hours.
Key nursing monitoring includes assessing for acute side effects like nausea (from oral psoralen), redness, and blistering (like a sunburn), and being aware of long-term risks like skin cancer and cataracts.
What if? If a patient undergoing PUVA therapy reports developing new, suspicious skin lesions, the nurse must ensure the patient is promptly evaluated by a dermatologist for potential skin cancer, a known long-term risk of the treatment.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the term 'PUVA'. Try to recall or deduce what the acronym stands for. PUVA stands for Psoralen + UVA (Ultraviolet A).
Recognize that 'Psoralen' is a photosensitizing agent and 'UVA' is a type of light. This combination points towards a treatment involving light, known as phototherapy or photochemotherapy.
Consider the nature of the options provided. Psoriasis is a skin condition, pneumonia is a respiratory infection, a phobia is a psychiatric disorder, and pulmonary embolism is a circulatory/respiratory emergency.
Connect the treatment type (phototherapy) to the possible conditions. Light-based therapies are used for dermatological (skin) issues.
Identify psoriasis as the only dermatological condition among the options, making it the most logical answer for a treatment involving skin and light.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 4 p. 81-83

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