A nurse is collecting data from a client who reports feeling stress. Which of the following should the nurse identify as an external stressor?

A) Initiate droplet precautions: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is primarily spread through contact with respiratory secretions, and droplet precautions are essential to prevent transmission. While RSV is commonly transmitted via direct contact or droplets, additional precautions like contact precautions may also be required, but droplet precautions should definitely be initiated as part of standard care to prevent the spread of the virus to others.

B) Monitor the preschooler’s urine for protein: Monitoring the urine for protein is not a standard action related to RSV. RSV is a respiratory virus, and its primary symptoms and complications involve the respiratory system, such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, or respiratory distress. There is no direct link between RSV and proteinuria, so this action is not necessary.

C) Administer fluconazole to the preschooler: Fluconazole is an antifungal medication, and it is not used to treat respiratory syncytial virus. RSV is a viral infection, so antiviral medications or supportive care like oxygen therapy, hydration, and possibly bronchodilators may be more appropriate. Fluconazole would not be appropriate for treating a viral infection like RSV.

D) Request an x-ray of the preschooler’s neck: An x-ray of the neck is generally not indicated for RSV unless there is a specific concern about airway obstruction or another condition like croup, which may present with symptoms similar to RSV. RSV primarily affects the lower respiratory tract, leading to symptoms like wheezing, cough, and difficulty breathing, not necessarily requiring a neck x-ray.

A) Impetigo contagiosa: Impetigo contagiosa is a bacterial skin infection caused by either Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. While it is contagious, it is not typically required to be reported to the state health department, as it is not considered a high-priority communicable disease that mandates immediate reporting.

B) Sarcoptes scabiei: Scabies, caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, is a contagious parasitic skin infection. Although scabies can be easily spread, it is generally not a reportable disease to the state health department unless there is an outbreak in a specific setting, such as a healthcare facility or school.

C) Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium that causes gonorrhea, is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is required by law to be reported to the state health department. Gonorrhea is a notifiable disease because of its potential for rapid transmission, complications, and its increasing resistance to antibiotics. Early reporting helps control the spread and provides opportunities for public health interventions.

D) Human papillomavirus (HPV): Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection that is not required to be reported to the state health department. While HPV is the most common STI and can lead to cancers such as cervical cancer, it is not mandated for reporting as an individual infection. However, certain types of HPV-related cancers may be tracked through cancer registries.