A nurse is caring for a client who has lung cancer. The client tells the nurse they do not want to be resuscitated in the event of a cardiac arrest. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

Choice A reason: Fluconazole treats fungal infections, not RSV, a viral respiratory illness. Antivirals like ribavirin might apply, but antifungals don’t. Scientifically, this mismatches RSV’s etiology, as it’s a paramyxovirus, rendering fluconazole ineffective and irrelevant for managing this preschooler’s condition.

Choice B reason: Monitoring urine for protein assesses kidney function, unrelated to RSV, which affects lungs. Proteinuria isn’t a typical RSV sign. Scientifically, this lacks relevance, as RSV causes respiratory distress, not renal complications, making it an unnecessary action here.

Choice C reason: An X-ray of the neck targets croup or epiglottitis, not RSV, which affects lower airways. RSV needs chest imaging if severe. Scientifically, neck imaging misaligns with RSV’s pathophysiology, wasting resources when lung assessment is more pertinent.

Choice D reason: Droplet precautions prevent RSV spread via respiratory droplets, critical in preschoolers who aerosolize virus easily. Scientifically, this aligns with infection control, as RSV’s high contagiousness requires masks and isolation to protect others, a primary nursing action per guidelines.

Choice A reason: Facial erythema is not a hallmark of pertussis, caused by Bordetella pertussis. It may occur in scarlet fever from Streptococcus, but pertussis features paroxysmal coughing and whooping, not facial redness, making this uncharacteristic of the respiratory infection’s typical presentation.

Choice B reason: Peeling of hands and feet is typical of Kawasaki disease or scarlet fever post-streptococcal infection, not pertussis. Pertussis affects the respiratory tract, causing mucus buildup and coughing, not dermatologic desquamation, which is unrelated to its bacterial pathogenesis.

Choice C reason: Fever is expected in pertussis as the body mounts an immune response to Bordetella pertussis, elevating temperature to fight infection. Though not always high, it accompanies the catarrhal phase, reflecting systemic inflammation, a common sign in respiratory bacterial infections.

Choice D reason: Beefy, red tongue is a feature of scarlet fever or vitamin deficiencies, not pertussis. Pertussis targets the respiratory system, causing coughing and whooping, not oral mucosal changes, making this unrelated to its pathophysiology, focusing on airway irritation.