A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a child who has varicella about the management of the disease. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
Keep the child away from others until the skin is clear of scabs.
Apply calamine lotion to vesicles on the child's skin.
Dress the child in warm clothing to promote healing of vesicles.
Avoid giving the child a bath while vesicles are present.
The Correct Answer is A
A. This is the correct instruction. Varicella (chickenpox) is highly contagious. The child should be kept away from others until all lesions are crusted over and no new lesions have formed for at least 24 hours. This typically indicates that the child is no longer contagious.
B. Applying calamine lotion can help alleviate itching and discomfort associated with the vesicles. This is a supportive measure but does not address the contagious nature of the disease.
C. Dressing the child in warm clothing is not specific to the management of varicella. It is important to keep the child comfortable, but this instruction does not address the
contagious period.
D. It is generally safe to give the child a bath during varicella. Warm baths with mild soap can help soothe itching. However, the child should be dried gently to avoid breaking open any vesicles.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. A child with impetigo has a contagious skin infection. It would not be appropriate to room them with a preschooler who has just had surgery, as this could increase the risk of post-operative infection.
B. Correct. A child with a fractured left femur does not have a contagious condition that would pose a risk to the preschooler following Wilms' tumor removal. This would be an appropriate roommate.
C. A child with viral pneumonia has a contagious respiratory infection. This could put the preschooler at risk of developing a respiratory infection, which could be especially dangerous after surgery.
D. A child with cellulitis of the right radius has a contagious skin infection. It would not be appropriate to room them with a preschooler who has just had surgery, as this could increase the risk of post-operative infection.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Assisting the child into a supine position is contraindicated in acute epiglottitis. This can lead to airway obstruction. The child should be allowed to assume a position of comfort, which is typically sitting up and leaning forward.
B. While obtaining a throat culture may be indicated for diagnostic purposes, it is not the first priority in the care of a child with acute epiglottitis. The immediate concern is ensuring airway patency and providing appropriate respiratory support.
C. This is the correct action. Acute epiglottitis is a potentially life-threatening condition that can rapidly lead to airway obstruction. Initiating droplet isolation precautions helps protect healthcare providers and other patients from potential transmission of the causative organism (often Haemophilus influenzae type B).
D. Checking oxygen saturation every 4 hours is important for monitoring respiratory status, but in the case of acute epiglottitis, continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation is often necessary due to the risk of sudden airway obstruction. This action does not address the immediate priority of ensuring a patent airway.
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