A school nurse is planning safety education for a group of adolescents.
Which of the following topics should the nurse prioritize as the leading cause of death for this age group?

Choice A rationale

The guardian’s statement about inspecting the child’s mouth for sores indicates an understanding of the teaching. Children with leukemia are at a higher risk for infection due to the chemotherapy drugs used in treatment, which can also kill healthy cells, including white blood cells that fight infection. Sores in the mouth could be a sign of infection, and regular inspection can help detect any issues early. This is a crucial part of managing side effects in children receiving leukemia treatment.

Choice B rationale

The statement about ensuring the child gets a measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine this week is incorrect. Children with leukemia have weakened immune systems due to their disease and treatment, and live vaccines such as the MMR vaccine are generally not recommended. Live

vaccines contain a weakened form of the virus or bacteria they protect against, which could cause serious illness in a child with a weakened immune system.

Choice C rationale

The statement about the child feeling better now that he can ride his bicycle is not necessarily indicative of an understanding of the teaching. While physical activity is important for overall health, children with leukemia may need to limit some activities to reduce the risk of injury and infection. It’s important to balance the child’s activity level with their overall health status and risk of complications.

Choice D rationale

The statement about taking the child’s rectal temperature daily is not necessarily indicative of an understanding of the teaching. While monitoring for fever is important in children with leukemia, as it could be a sign of infection, rectal temperatures are generally not recommended due to the risk of causing injury or introducing bacteria.

Choice A rationale

Storing used syringes in a biohazard bag before discarding is not the recommended method for disposal of insulin syringes. Used needles and other sharps are considered medical waste and should be placed in FDA-cleared sharps disposal containers.

Choice B rationale

This is the correct answer. Used syringes should be discarded in a hard, plastic container, such as a detergent bottle or a sharps container. These containers prevent needle-stick injuries during the disposal process.

Choice C rationale

Taking containers of used syringes to the local recycling center is not a safe or recommended method for disposal of insulin syringes. Used needles and other sharps are considered medical waste and should not be recycled.

Choice D rationale

While wearing gloves can provide an extra layer of protection when handling used syringes, it is not a sufficient method for safe disposal. Used syringes should be immediately placed in a hard, plastic container after use.