A nurse is planning care for an adolescent who has sickle cell anemia.
Which of the following immunization should the nurse include in the plan?

Choice A rationale

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is recommended for children with sickle cell anemia. This is because individuals with sickle cell disease are at an increased risk of infection, and the PCV13 vaccine can help protect against Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterium that can cause serious infections like pneumonia and meningitis.

Choice B rationale

The Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine is not typically included in the immunization schedule for children with sickle cell anemia.

Choice C rationale

While the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is part of the standard immunization schedule for all children, it is not specifically indicated for children with sickle cell anemia.

Choice D rationale

The Rotavirus vaccine is part of the standard immunization schedule for all infants, but it is not specifically indicated for children with sickle cell anemia.

Question 1: The correct answer is Choice c. Perform developmental testing for delays.

Lead poisoning can lead to cognitive, behavioral, and developmental impairments, making developmental testing crucial for assessing potential delays and planning interventions. Developmental testing allows healthcare providers to identify any areas of concern early on, enabling them to implement appropriate interventions to support the child's development and mitigate the effects of lead poisoning.

Choice A rationale: Obtaining a stool specimen for lead levels is not the appropriate action in this scenario. Lead poisoning is typically assessed through blood lead levels, not stool specimens. Stool specimens are more commonly used for assessing gastrointestinal issues or infections rather than lead levels.

Choice B rationale: Initiating a low-iron diet for lead absorption is not recommended. Iron deficiency can actually increase lead absorption in the body, so reducing iron intake could potentially exacerbate the issue. Instead, ensuring an adequate intake of iron-rich foods may be beneficial for overall health but is not a primary intervention for lead poisoning.

Choice D rationale: Inspecting the skin for discoloration is not a relevant action for assessing lead poisoning. While lead poisoning can manifest in various symptoms, skin discoloration is not typically associated with lead exposure. Other signs and symptoms such as cognitive, behavioral, and developmental impairments are more indicative of lead poisoning.