Complications of cutaneous laser resurfacing: a nursing guide.
Laser use for various cutaneous conditions has advanced rapidly in the past several years. Initial background and physical history is important when determining if a patient is a candidate for laser resurfacing. Nurses must be able not only to identify appropriate candidates preoperatively, but to discuss the risks associated with the procedure. Because proper postoperative management is critical to the healing process, nurses must identify complications early in their course to provide appropriate intervention and, thus, reduce long-term side effects.