A 16-year-old male diagnosed with genital warts presents for chemical ablation with podophyllin (Podofin) 25% topical solution. The lesions appear on the glans and scrotum. When applying the solution to the affected areas, the nurse practitioner should NOT:

Rationale: A. Applying acetic acid to the external genitalia before chemical ablation is NOT recommended. Acetic acid is sometimes used for diagnostic purposes (to highlight lesions by turning them white), but it can irritate the skin and increase the risk of chemical injury when combined with podophyllin. B. Applying petroleum jelly around the lesions is appropriate because it protects surrounding healthy skin from the caustic effects of podophyllin. C. Using a cotton-tipped wooden applicator is the correct technique to apply podophyllin precisely to the lesions without spreading it to healthy tissue. D. Dusting the lesions with talcum powder after ablation helps absorb residual medication and reduce local irritation, which is considered standard post-application care.