Nursing Care of the Child with an Infection
A child is diagnosed with scarlet fever. History reveals that the child has no known drug allergies. When preparing the child's plan of care, the nurse would anticipate administering which agent as the drug of choice? 1 penicillin V 2 erythromycin 3 trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 4 clarithromycin
1 Penicillin V is the antibiotic of choice. NOT 2 In those sensitive to penicillin, erythromycin may be used. 3.4. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and clarithromycin are not used.
Scabies
A contagious skin disease marked by itching and small raised red spots, caused by the itch mite.
Diphtheria
An acute bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract (nose, larynx, tonsils, or pharynx) The neck becomes edematous and lymphadenopathy develops. The pseudomembrane causes airway obstruction and suffocation.
CAMRSA
Community-Acquired MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). An infection (super bug) spread by a community member and hasn't necessarily been to the hospital
Complications associated with tetanus
Complications associated with tetanus include breathing problems, fractures, elevated blood pressure, dysrhythmias, clotting in the blood vessels of the lung, pneumonia, and coma.
Pertussis
Pertussis is an acute respiratory disorder characterized by paroxysmal cough (whooping cough) and copious
Tetanus
Tetanus is an acute, often fatal neurologic disease caused by the toxins produced by Clostridium tetani Characterized by increased muscle tone and spasm. C. tetani spores can live anywhere but are found most commonly in soil, dust, and feces from humans or animals, such as sheep, cattle, chickens, dogs, cats, and rats.
Koplik spots
small, white spots with red halo over oral mucosa; early sign of measles
colloidal oatmeal
Aveeno Dry skin, Antipruritus (anti-itch)
Rubeola
measles virus
The nurse is performing a physical examination for a 7-year-old girl who was bitten by a tick. What would alert the nurse to the possibility of early localized Lyme disease? 1 Bull's-eye rash around the bite 2 Multiple erythema migrans on the skin 3 Cranial nerve palsies 4 Recurrent arthritis in the large joints
1 A bull's-eye rash (ring-like rash) around the bite is typical of early localized Lyme disease. NOT 2 Multiple erythema migrans on the skin occurs during early disseminated disease. 3 Cranial nerve palsies are indicative of early disseminated disease. 4 Recurrent arthritis in the large joints occurs in the late stage of the disease.
A group of nursing students are reviewing the functions of white blood cells. The students demonstrate an understanding of the information when they identify which white blood cell as responsible for combating allergic disorders? 1 eosinophils 2 neutrophils 3 lymphocytes 4 monocytes
1 Eosinophils function to combat allergic disorders and parasitic infestations. NOT 2 Neutrophils function to combat bacterial infections. 3 Lymphocytes function to combat viral infections. 4 Monocytes function to combat severe infections
A child has been diagnosed with hookworm. The nurse is teaching the parent about the treatment for the condition. Which statement made by the parent confirms that further education is needed? 1 "My child can play outside bare footed when treatment is done." 2 "The medications should be taken for 2 weeks." 3 "I should have my child eat more foods with iron." 4 "I should have my other children tested."
1 Hookworms are found in soil, especially in areas with warmer climates. They enter the body through the skin, pores and hair follicles. Children should wear shoes and not go barefoot outside since the worms can enter through the soles of the feet. 2 The treatment is with the drug albendazole. The duration is from 7 to 14 days of treatment. Most importantly, besides medication, good handwashing and sanitation practices are needed. 3 The worms attach themselves to the walls of the small intestine where they feed and reproduce. This can cause anemia. The child's diet should include foods high in iron or iron supplements. 4 All children who are suspected or at high risk should be evaluated for hookworms.
Nursing students are learning about the infectious process. They correctly identify the first stage of an infectious disease to be which period? 1 Incubation period 2 Prodromal period 3 Illness period 4 Convalescent period
1 Infection occurs when an organism invades the body and multiplies, causing damage to the tissue and cells. The infectious process goes through four stages. The incubation period is the first stage of the infectious disease. It is the time between the invasion of an organism and the onset of symptoms of infection. NOT 2 The prodromal period is the time from the onset of nonspecific symptoms to specific symptoms, for example, cold/flu-like symptoms before Koplik spots occur in measles. 3 The illness is the time during which symptoms of the specific illness occur. 4 The convalescent stage is the time when the acute symptoms disappear
A 15-year-old boy visits his primary care physician's office with fever, headache, and malaise, along with complaints of pain on chewing and pain in the jawline just in front of the ear lobe. The boy asks his mother to leave the exam room for a minute and then tells the nurse that he is also experiencing testicular pain and swelling. The nurse recognizes that this client most likely has which condition? 1 Mumps 2 Infectious mononucleosis 3 Poliomyelitis 4 Herpes zoster
1 Initial symptoms of mumps include fever, headache, anorexia, and malaise. Within 24 hours, pain on chewing and an "earache" occurs. When the child points to the site of the earache, however, he points to the jawline just in front of the ear lobe, the site of the parotid gland. By the next day, the gland appears swollen and feels tender; the ear becomes displaced upward and backward. Boys may also develop testicular pain and swelling (orchitis). NOT 2.3.4. None of the other conditions listed matches the symptoms indicated.
A 6-year-old child is brought to the clinic by his parents. The parents state, "He had a sore throat for a couple of days and now his temperature is over 102°F (38.9°C). He has this rash on his face and chest that looks like sunburn but feels really rough." What would the nurse suspect? 1 Scarlet fever 2 Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CAMRSA) 3 Diphtheria 4 Pertussis
1 Scarlet fever typically is associated with a sore throat, fever greater than 101° F (38.9° C), and the characteristic rash on the face, trunk, and extremities that looks like sunburn but feels like sandpaper. NOT 2 CAMRSA is typically manifested by skin and tissue infections. 3 Diphtheria is characterized by a sore throat and difficulty swallowing but fever is usually below 102°F (38.9°C). Airway obstruction is apparent. 4 Pertussis is characterized by cough and cold symptoms that progress to paroxysmal coughing spells along with copious secretions
An adolescent comes to the clinic and is diagnosed with syphilis. The nurse discusses the treatment plan with the adolescent. In addition to medication, what instruction will the nurse give the adolescent? 1 The sexual partners need to be tested. 2 Limit the number of sexual partners. 3 Syphilis is a reportable disease. 4 How the infection will progress if not treated.
1 Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection. It can be experienced by both men and women. The primary infection is treated with benzathine penicillin G injection. This will cure the infection. If not treated, the infection can develop into secondary, later, or tertiary stages. At the tertiary stage, the disease can not be treated or reversed. The most important thing for the adolescent to understand besides the treatment is that all sexual partners need to be evaluated and treated. Otherwise, the disease will just continue to spread among all the partners. Additional teaching for this adolescent includes condom use and limiting the number of sexual partners.
A child is brought to the emergency department by his parents. The parents report that he stepped on a rusty nail about a week and a half ago. The child is complaining of cramping in his jaw and some difficulty swallowing. The nurse suspects tetanus. When assessing the child, the nurse would be alert to which muscle groups being affected next? 1 Neck 2 Arms 3 Legs 4 Stomach
1 Tetanus progresses in a descending fashion to other muscle groups, causing spasms of the neck, arms, legs, and stomach.
The nurse is assessing a child who presents with a history of fever, malaise, fatigue, and headache. The nurse notes a bulls-eye rash on the child's right leg. Which action will the nurse take? 1 Notify the primary health care provider. 2 Place the child on contact precautions. 3 Obtain an electrocardiography (ECG). 4 Clean the rash with rubbing alcohol.
1 The nurse would suspect the child has Lyme disease and notify the health care provider for additional testing and potential antibiotic therapy. NOT 2 Precautions are not indicated for clients with Lyme disease. 3 An ECG would only be needed if cardiac symptoms were noted. 4 It is recommended to clean the site of the tick bite with rubbing alcohol when the tick is removed, not at a later time.
The nurse is administering a chickenpox vaccination to a 12-month-old girl. Which concern is unique to varicella? 1 This disease can reactivate years later and cause shingles. 2 Vitamin A is indicated for children younger than 2 years. 3 Dehydration is caused by mouth lesions. 4 Children with this disease need to avoid pregnant women
1 Varicella zoster results in a lifelong latent infection. It can reactivate later in life resulting in shingles. NOT 2 The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends consideration of vitamin A supplementation in children 6 months to 2 years hospitalized for measles. 3 Dehydration caused by mouth lesions is a concern with foot and mouth disease (Herpangina). 4 Avoiding exposure to pregnant women is a concern with rubella, rubeola, and erythema infectiosum.
The nurse is caring for a child brought to the emergency department after an animal bite. Which action will the nurse perform first? 1 Ask if the animal was provoked prior to the bite. 2 Assess the child's height, weight, and temperature. 3 Administer rabies vaccine and rabies immune globulin. 4 Question the child about malaise, pain, and hydrophobia.
1 When a child presents with an animal bite, the nurse will ask the child if the animal was provoked prior to the bite. Animals with rabies will bite unprovoked. If the child states the animal bit without being provoked, and the animal is at risk for rabies, the nurse will administer the rabies vaccine and rabies immune globulin as prescribed by the health care provider and recommended by the local health department. Signs and symptoms of rabies, including fever, malaise, anorexia, pain, and hydrophobia, will occur on average 1 to 3 months after the bite. The nurse's priority is to gather history to help determine if the child needs treatment for rabies to avoid progression to the disease, which is almost always fatal.
Parents bring their 9-year-old child to the clinic for a well-child visit. They are concerned because several children in the neighborhood have developed Lyme disease and ask for suggestions on what to do to reduce their child's risk. What would be appropriate for the nurse to suggest? Select all that apply. 1 Wearing protective clothing when playing in wooded areas. 2 Dressing the child in dark clothing when going outdoors. 3 Inspecting the skin closely for ticks after the child plays in wooded areas. 4 Removing ticks by rubbing them away from the skin with a credit card. 5 Contacting the health care provider if there is any area of inflammation that might be a bite.
1. The nurse should teach the parents to have the child wear protective clothing and dress the child in light clothing when playing in wooded areas or going outdoors. 3 The parents should inspect the child's skin closely for ticks after being outside in wooded areas and if any ticks are found, remove them with a tweezer, not rub them with a credit card. 5 The parents also should be instructed to contact their health care provider if they notice any area of inflammation that might be a tick bite
An adolescent girl and her caregiver present at the pediatrician's office. The adolescent reports severe abdominal pain. A diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is made. The nurse notes in the child's chart that this is the third time she has been treated for PID. Which action by the nurse would be most appropriate? 1 Contact the necessary authorities to report a suspected case of sexual abuse. 2 Take the child to a private room and interview her regarding her sexual history and partners. 3 Take the caregiver to a private room and tell her that the child's diagnosis can only come from sexual activity. 4 Talk to the child and caregiver together and explain that the condition is often a result of a sexually transmitted infection and discuss the importance of safe sex practices.
2 Adolescents must be made aware of the seriousness of PID, a common result of a chlamydial infection. Pelvic inflammatory disease can cause sterility in the female, primarily by causing scarring in the fallopian tubes that prohibits the passage of the fertilized ovum into the uterus. A tubal pregnancy may be the consequence of a chlamydial infection. In the male, sterility may result from epididymitis caused by a chlamydial infection. All sexual partners must be treated.
A young client arrives at the clinic with a rash on the trunk and flexor surfaces of the extremities. The parent informs the nurse that the rash started a day before on the exterior surfaces of the extremities; 2 days before, the child had a really bad rash on the face. The health care provider diagnoses the child with erythema infectiosum. The nurse tells the parent that this is also known as: 1 enterovirus. 2 fifth disease. 3 rosacea. 4 pityriasis rosea.
2 Erythema infectiosum is also known as "fifth disease." It starts with a fever, headache, and malaise. One week later, a rash appears on the face. A day later, the rash appears on the extensor surfaces of the extremities. One more day later, the rash appears on the trunk and flexor surfaces of the extremities. NOT 4 Pityriasis rosea is a skin rash that begins with a large spot on the chest, abdomen, or back that is followed by a pattern of small lesions. It is self-limiting and can be treated with steroid creams. 3 Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes redness to the face. 1 An enterovirus infection can many times cause the same symptoms as the common cold or it can include the respiratory system. It is contagious
Which child will the nurse identify as at greatest risk for developing a urinary tract infection? 1 a 6-month-old breastfed female 2 an 8-month-old bottle-fed female with HIV 3 a 1-year-old formula-fed male 4 a 2-year-old male with otitis media
2 Factors that make an individual more prone to a urinary tract infection include young age, female gender, and immunosuppression. NOT 3.1. Infants who are formula-fed are at greater risk than infants who are breastfed. To determine the child at greatest risk, the nurse should count risk factors and determine which child has the most risk factors.
When providing care for a child with herpes zoster (shingles), the parents ask the nurse how the child contracted this infectious disorder. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate? 1 "Your child must have been exposed to someone with herpes zoster." 2 "Herpes zoster is a reactivation of a previous varicella zoster infection." 3 "Children who are immunocompromised are more likely to contract shingles." 4 "Handwashing is an effective way to prevent the spread of infectious disorders."
2 Herpes zoster (shingles) is reactivation of the latent varicella zoster (chickenpox) infection that occurs during times of immunosuppression and aging. NOT 1 Although it is possible to contract the varicella zoster virus from a person with herpes zoster or varicella zoster, a child diagnosed with herpes zoster has already been exposed to varicella zoster. 4 Handwashing will not directly prevent herpes zoster.
A child in the clinic has a fever and reports a sore neck. Upon assessment the nurse finds a swollen parotid gland. The nurse suspects which infectious disease? 1 Measles 2 Mumps 3 Whooping cough 4 Scabies
2 Mumps is an infectious disease with a primary symptom of a swollen parotid gland. It is a contagious disease spread by droplets. The child is contagious 1 to 7 days prior to the onset of the swelling and 4 to 9 days after the onset of the swelling. NOT 3 Pertussis is a respiratory disorder that causes severe paroxysmal coughing, which produces a whooping sound. 1 Measles is recognized by Koplik spots in the mouth and the classic maculopapular rash that starts on the head and spreads downward. 4 Scabies is a skin condition where lice lay eggs under the skin. The rash is very pruritic and is seen on the hands, feet, and folds of the skin.
A nurse is obtaining a history from the parents of a child diagnosed with an infection. The parents report that the child started running a fever a couple of days ago and that he "just didn't seem like himself." Then this morning, the child started having yellow-green discharge from the nose. The nurse would identify the child has just completed which stage of an infectious disease? 1 incubation 2 prodrome 3 illness 4 convalescence
2 The child is in the prodrome stage of the infection. Prodrome refers to the time from the onset of nonspecific symptoms—such as fever, malaise, and fatigue—to more specific symptoms. NOT 1 Incubation refers to the time from the entrance of the pathogen into the body to the appearance of the first symptoms. 3 The illness stage is the time during which the child demonstrates signs and symptoms specific to an infection type. 4 Convalescence refers to the time when the acute symptoms of the illness disappear.
The appearance of which hallmark clinical manifestation occurs in measles? 1 Conjunctivitis 2 Koplik spots 3 Fever 4 Cough
2 The hallmark symptom of measles is the appearance of Koplik spots. These occur a few days before the outbreak of the rash. They are classic in appearance, described as a red ring around white dots. They occur on the buccal mucosa generally around the first and second molars. NOT 3.1.4. Measles has fever, conjunctivitis, and a cough as prodromal symptoms, but these are not definitive for measles as they can occur with many other illnesses
The nurse is caring for a child admitted to the hospital for sepsis. Which assessment finding is the most concerning? 1 oral temperature 102.3°F (39°C) 2 white blood cell count 18,000/mm3 3 urine output of 10 ml over 3 hours 4 apical heart rate 120 beats per minute
3 Children with sepsis will show alteration in temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and white blood cell count. Septic shock with organ dysfunction is more serious and can be manifested by decreased urine output.
A nursing instructor is teaching the students about the standard and transmission-based precautions. What type of precautions require placing a client in an isolated room with limited access, wearing gloves during contact with the client and all body fluids or contaminated items, wearing two layers of protective clothing, and avoiding sharing equipment between clients? 1 Airborne precautions 2 Droplet precautions 3 Contact precautions 4 Standard precautions
3 Contact precautions means placing the client in an isolation room with limited access, wearing gloves during contact with the client and all body fluids, wearing two layers of protective clothing, limiting movement of the client from the room, and avoiding sharing equipment between clients. NOT 4 Standard precautions are used with every client. They involve good handwashing and the use of gloves for client contact. 1 Airborne precautions are used for diseases where small particles are dispersed in the air. They require that the client be in a negative-pressure room and, in addition to standard personal protective equipment, the mask should be N95 or higher. Varicella would need airborne precautions. 2 Droplet precautions are used for diseases such as pertussis, which produce large droplets. They require standard precautions plus a surgical mask, preferably with a face shield.
A 6-year-old child is being treated for a parasitic infection. When reviewing results from the child's white blood cell count, which finding would be anticipated? 1 elevated monocytes 2 reduced basophil levels 3 increased eosinophil levels 4 reduced neutrophil levels
3 Eosinophils are the first line of defense against parasitic infections and allergic reactions and will be elevated. NOT 1 Monocytes are a second line of defense and will be elevated in response to leukemias, lymphomas, and chronic inflammation. 2 Basophils respond to allergic disorders and hypersensitivity reactions. 4 Neutrophils are the first line of defense upon invasion of bacteria, fungus, cell debris, and other foreign substances
The parents of a 4-month-old diagnosed with sepsis tell the nurse that the physician explained sepsis to them but they don't really understand it. The parents state, "Could you please explain it to us?" What is the best response by the nurse? 1 "Sepsis results in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) due to infection." 2"The pathophysiology of sepsis is complex." 3 "The infection your child has causes the release of toxins into the system, which can lead to impaired function in the lungs, liver, and kidneys." 4 "The pathogens cause an overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines. These cytokines are responsible for the clinically observable effects of the sepsis."
3 Keeping the answer to what sepsis is will help the parents understand the pathophysiology. While all answers are correct, the response: "The infection your child has causes the release of toxins into the system, which can lead to impaired function in the lungs, liver, and kidneys" provides the most understandable explanation and addresses the parent's question
What is a true statement regarding measles? 1 It is transmitted by the fecal-oral route. 2 It is not contagious. 3 The incubation period is 10 to 12 days. 4 Peak outbreaks are in the summer.
3 Measles is a highly contagious disease spread via droplets from the nasopharyngeal secretions. The typical incubation period is 10 to 12 days. Outbreaks peak in the winter and spring. It is communicable (contagious) 1 to 2 days before the onset of symptoms. The initial symptoms are fever, cough, coryza (inflamed nostrils) and conjunctivitis. These symptoms are followed by Koplik spots seen in the mouth. A rash develops on the head and spreads downward and outward.
The nurse is educating parents of a child admitted to the hospital with rubella (German measles). Which statement by the parents indicates the further education is needed? 1 "Our child is contagious for 1 week after the rash appeared." 2 "Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be given to help with pain." 3 "Antibiotics are needed to help our child recover from rubella." 4 "Family members should wear a mask when coming to visit us."
3 Rubella (German measles) is caused by the rubella virus. NOT 1 Children will be contagious for 1 week before to approximately 1 week after the rash appears. 2.4. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be given to help with pain or fever, and the child will be on droplet precautions (mask) while in the hospital.
A 9-month-old child has been admitted to rule out sepsis. Which finding offers the most support to the presence of this disorder? 1 The child has had 7 wet diapers in the past 24 hours. 2 The child cries when his mother is not in sight. 3 The child has had 8 ounces of formula in the past 24 hours. 4 The child's birth history indicates he was born at 42 weeks' gestation.
3 Should have 3 to 5 feedings per day or 30 to 32 ounces per day Sepsis is a systemic overresponse to infection resulting from bacteria and viruses, which are the most common fungi, viruses, rickettsia, or parasites. It can lead to septic shock, which results in hypotension, low blood flow, and multisystem organ failure. Signs of sepsis include a lack of appetite, lethargy, hypotonia, and temperature elevations
A nurse practitioner suspects that a child has scarlet fever based on which assessment finding? 1 Severity of the sore throat 2 An enanthematous rash 3 Red, strawberry tongue 4 White exudate on the tonsils
3 The characteristic assessment finding that distinguishes scarlet fever from other disorders is the appearance of the red, strawberry tongue. NOT 1.2.4. Sore throat, an enanthematous and exanthematous rash, and white exudate on the tonsils are also seen with scarlet fever, but it is the strawberry tongue that helps to confirm the diagnosis
The nurse is caring for multiple clients on the pediatric unit. Which child will the nurse see first? 1 a child diagnosed with chicken pox reporting nausea and malaise 2 a child with herpes simplex who is reporting mouth pain and pruritis 3 a child diagnosed with measles experiencing photophobia and coryza 4 a child with erythema infectiosum experiencing fatigue and confusion
4 A child with erythema infectiosum experiencing fatigue and confusion is showing signs of decreased oxygenation, possibly related to aplasia (organ falure) of erythrocytes caused by the virus. A child with signs and symptoms of decreased oxygenation should be seen first. NOT 1 Nausea and malaise are symptoms of chicken pox. 2 A child with herpes simplex will most likely report pain an pruritis. 3 Signs and symptoms of measles include photophobia and coryza.
The nurse is doing an in-service training on clinical manifestations seen in communicable diseases. Which skin condition best describes pustule? 1 redness of the skin produced by congestion of the capillaries 2 small, circumscribed, solid elevation of the skin 3 discolored skin spot not elevated at the surface 4 small elevation of epidermis filled with a viscous fluid
4 A pustule is a small elevation of epidermis filled with pus
A nurse is assessing a child with a tick-borne disease. What finding would indicate to the nurse that the child has developed ehrlichiosis and not Rocky Mountain spotted fever? 1 fever 2 headache 3 malaise 4 absence of rash
4 Both Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis are manifested by fever, headache, and malaise. However, there is rarely a rash with ehrlichiosis, which helps to differentiate it from Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Which collaborative intervention will the nurse provide when caring for an infant diagnosed with pertussis? Select all that apply. 1 Have suction available in the room. 2 Encourage small, frequent feedings. 3 Administer erythromycin for 10 days. 4 Utilize droplet and standard precautions. 5 Restrict visitors for 48 hours of hospitalization.
4 Droplet precautions are used until 5 days after a child starts antibiotic therapy, and visitors may be restricted during this time (5 days). Standard precautions will be used throughout the hospitalization. 2 Frequent small meals are vomited less than larger meals, making it easier for the infant to maintain nutritional status. 3 A full 10-day course of erythromycin or azithromycin may be prescribed because these drugs have the potential to shorten the period of communicability and may shorten the duration of symptoms. 1 Infants with pertussis may need airway suction for thick secretions. NOT 5 Infants with pertussis are generally admitted to the hospital for at least 48 hours to see how the disease course is progressing.
The nurse is discussing fever with the parents of a child who is in the emergency department with a temperature of 101°F (38.3°C). Which statement by a parent indicates an understanding of fevers and their management in the ill child? 1 "We've been giving him a little extra acetaminophen to help bring his fever down." 2 "We've had to wake him up in the night to give him more medicine to reduce his temperature." 3 "My wife and I have been using cold water and washcloths on him because of the fever." 4 "Fevers can be beneficial because they can slow down the growth of the bacteria or virus that may be causing the infection."
4 Fevers can be protective and can help the body fight the infection. Fevers slow down bacterial or viral growth. NOT 1.2.3. Mismanaging fevers include inappropriate dosing of antipyretics, awakening a child at night to administer antipyretics, and using cold water or sponging the child with alcohol to reduce the temperature.
The nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a child with varicella. Which statement indicates that the parents have understood the instructions? 1 "We should apply alcohol to the lesions every four hours." 2 "If he has a fever, we can give him some aspirin." 3 "The lesions should eventually form soft crusts that drain." 4 "We need to make sure that he washes his hands frequently."
4 The child with varicella needs to wash his hands frequently with antibacterial soap to reduce bacterial colonization. NOT 1 A cool bath with soothing colloidal oatmeal may help the skin discomfort. Alcohol would be too drying to the skin. 2 Acetaminophen, not aspirin, should be used to reduce fever. 3 The lesions should eventually crust over. Soft crusts with drainage may suggest an infection.
What information should be included in the teaching plan for a child with varicella? 1 Administer aspirin for fever. 2 Place the child in a warm bath for skin discomfort. 3 Utilize salt solutions to assist in healing oral lesions. 4 Remind the child not to scratch the lesions.
4 Varicella lesions appear first on the scalp. They spread to the face, the trunk, and to the extremities. There may be various stages of the lesions present at any one time. The lesions are intensely pruritic. The teaching plan for varicella should include that the child not scratch the lesions. NOT Opening the lesions gives access for secondary infection to occur and causes scarring. 1 Acetaminophen, not aspirin, should be administered for fever due to the link with Reye syndrome. 3 The best treatment for skin discomfort is a cool bath with soothing colloidal oatmeal every 3 to 4 hours for the first few days. 2 Warm baths cause more itching and dry the skin.
Erythema Infectiosum (Fifth Disease)
A viral disease characterized by a face that appears as "slapped cheeks," a fiery red rash on the cheeks. Caused by human parvovirus B19 Transmitted by large droplet spread from nasopharyngeal viral shedding or percutaneous exposure to blood and blood products. Also transmitted from mother to fetus
Scarlet fever
An infection resulting from group A streptococci. It usually occurs with a group A streptococci throat infection (i.e., strep throat) or rarely streptococcal skin infection. However, in the case of scarlet fever, the bacteria produce a toxin that causes a rash. Not all children with a group A streptococci infection will develop the rash of scarlet fever.
A nurse is assessing a neonate with sepsis. The nurse understands that most commonly the cause involves:
Bacteria are typically the culprits. However, neonatal sepsis can be caused by viruses such as herpes simplex or enteroviruses and by protozoa (e.g., oxoplasma gondii).
Enterovirus
Enterovirus infections are caused by many different viruses. Symptoms of enterovirus infections include fever, headache, respiratory illness, and sore throat and sometimes mouth sores or a rash
Septic shock
Septic shock is a life-threatening condition caused by a severe localized or system-wide infection that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include low blood pressure, pale and cool arms and legs, chills, difficulty breathing, and decreased urine output. Mental confusion and disorientation may also develop quickly. Emergency treatment may include supplemental oxygen, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and other medications
Shock
Shock is a critical condition brought on by the sudden drop in blood flow through the body. Shock may result from trauma, heatstroke, blood loss, an allergic reaction, severe infection, poisoning, severe burns or other causes. When a person is in shock, his or her organs aren't getting enough blood or oxygen