A nurse is teaching a community class on preventing chickenpox and shingles. Which measure should the nurse include in the presentation?

Choice A rationale:

Taking aspirin is not recommended for individuals with chickenpox, especially children, as it has been associated with an increased risk of Reye syndrome, a severe and potentially fatal condition affecting the brain and liver.

Choice B rationale:

Applying topical antibiotics is not a suitable recommendation for relieving pruritus (itching) associated with chickenpox. Topical antibiotics are used to treat bacterial skin infections, not pruritus.

Choice C rationale:

Using antihistamines is the most appropriate recommendation for relieving pruritus in chickenpox. Antihistamines block the effects of histamine, a chemical released during an allergic reaction or infection, and can help reduce itching.

Choice D rationale:

Increasing physical activity is not advised for a client with chickenpox, as this could lead to the spread of the virus to others and may worsen the symptoms and pruritus.

Choice A rationale:

Anemia is not a complication typically associated with shingles. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, and it primarily affects the nerves and skin, leading to a painful rash.

Choice B rationale:

Migraine headaches are not directly related to shingles. Shingles affects sensory nerves and typically presents with localized pain and a rash along the affected nerve's pathway.

Choice C rationale:

The nurse should monitor for postherpetic neuralgia in this client. Postherpetic neuralgia is a common complication of shingles that involves persistent and severe pain in the area where the rash was present. It occurs due to nerve damage caused by the virus, and the pain can last for weeks to months after the rash has healed.

Choice D rationale:

Asthma is not a complication associated with shingles. Shingles is a viral infection that primarily affects the skin and nerves and does not involve the respiratory system.