A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has COPD and has been taking long-term high doses of prednisone. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. A pregnant parent. A child can receive the varicella vaccine even if the parent is pregnant. While the varicella vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine, the vaccinated child does not pose a significant risk of transmission to others. The parent should avoid direct contact with the vaccinee's rash if one develops, but this is not a contraindication to immunization.

B. Receiving treatment for leukemia. Children undergoing treatment for leukemia often have weakened immune systems due to chemotherapy or radiation. The varicella vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine, meaning it contains a weakened form of the virus that could cause severe illness in immunocompromised individuals. These children should not receive live vaccines until their immune function improves and their healthcare provider approves vaccination.

C. Taking acetaminophen for mild discomfort. Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer that does not interfere with the efficacy or safety of the varicella vaccine. There is no evidence that mild analgesic use before or after vaccination affects immune response, so it is not a reason to withhold the immunization.

D. An allergy to eggs. Unlike some influenza and yellow fever vaccines, the varicella vaccine is not produced using egg-based components. An egg allergy is not a contraindication to receiving the varicella vaccine, as it does not contain egg proteins.

A. Breastfeeding. Ceftriaxone is generally considered safe during breastfeeding because only a small amount is excreted in breast milk. While monitoring for gastrointestinal disturbances or thrush in the infant is advised, breastfeeding is not a contraindication for ceftriaxone use.

B. Client allergy. The client has a penicillin allergy, which raises concerns about cross-reactivity with cephalosporins, including ceftriaxone. Although the cross-reactivity rate is low, clients with a history of severe allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema, or urticaria) to penicillin should avoid cephalosporins. The nurse should clarify the nature of the penicillin allergy before administering ceftriaxone.

C. Gentamycin prescription. Ceftriaxone and gentamicin are both nephrotoxic, and using them together increases the risk of kidney damage. The client should be monitored for renal function impairment, and alternative antibiotic therapy may be considered if necessary. The nurse should discuss this potential drug interaction with the provider before administration.

D. Hematocrit. The client’s hematocrit (32%) is low but does not require withholding ceftriaxone. A slightly decreased hematocrit is expected postpartum, especially in cases of infection or recent delivery. Ceftriaxone is not known to cause significant hematologic suppression that would make this a contraindication.

E. Hemoglobin. The client’s hemoglobin (9 g/dL) is lower than normal, likely due to postpartum blood loss or infection-related inflammation. However, ceftriaxone does not directly affect hemoglobin levels, so this is not a reason to withhold the medication.