A school nurse is planning safety education for a group of adolescents. The nurse should give priority to which of the following topics as the leading cause of death for this age group?

Choice A reason: A humidifier should be placed beside the child's bed is not the information that the nurse should include, as it is not relevant to pertussis. Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a bacterial infection that causes severe coughing spells, difficulty breathing, and a characteristic whooping sound. A humidifier may help with other respiratory conditions, such as bronchitis or asthma, but it does not affect pertussis.

Choice B reason: Household contacts will receive prophylactic antibiotics is the information that the nurse should include, as it is an important measure to prevent the spread of pertussis. Pertussis is highly contagious and can be transmitted through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. Household contacts, especially those who are not fully vaccinated or have a weakened immune system, are at risk of contracting pertussis from the child. Prophylactic antibiotics, such as azithromycin or erythromycin, can reduce the risk of infection and complications.

Choice C reason: Transmission will be prevented because of herd immunity is not the information that the nurse should include, as it is not true for pertussis. Herd immunity is the protection that occurs when a large proportion of the population is immune to a disease, either through vaccination or natural infection. Herd immunity can reduce the transmission of some diseases, such as measles or polio, but it is not effective for pertussis. This is because pertussis immunity wanes over time, and the current vaccines do not provide long-lasting protection. Therefore, even vaccinated people can get or spread pertussis.

Choice D reason: The child is most contagious after the rash develops is not the information that the nurse should include, as it is not true for pertussis. Pertussis does not cause a rash, unlike some other childhood diseases, such as measles or chickenpox. The child is most contagious during the first two weeks of the illness, when the symptoms are similar to a common cold. The coughing spells usually start after the first week and can last for several weeks or months.

Choice A reason: You should avoid sexual contact until therapy is complete. This is to prevent the transmission of the infection to others, and to avoid reinfection or complications. The usual treatment for chlamydia is a single dose of an antibiotic, such as azithromycin or doxycycline. You should abstain from sexual activity for at least 7 days after taking the medication.

Choice B reason: Notify anyone with whom you have had sexual contact over the past 2 months. This is to inform them of their possible exposure to the infection, and to encourage them to get tested and treated if necessary. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and neonatal complications. It can also increase the risk of acquiring or transmitting other STIs, such as HIV.

Choice C reason: You will need to take an antiviral medication for 30 days. This is not a correct information that the nurse should include in the teaching. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, not a viral infection. Antiviral medications are not effective against chlamydia, and are not indicated for its treatment.

Choice D reason: Once you complete treatment, you will have an acquired immunity against chlamydia. This is not a correct information that the nurse should include in the teaching. Chlamydia does not confer immunity, and you can get infected again if you are exposed to the bacteria. You should get tested for chlamydia at least once a year, or more often if you have multiple or new sexual partners.

Choice E reason: You might experience painful urination until the infection has resolved. This is a correct information that the nurse should include in the teaching. Chlamydia can cause inflammation and irritation of the urethra, which can result in dysuria, or painful or difficult urination. Other symptoms of chlamydia may include abnormal vaginal or penile discharge, lower abdominal pain, bleeding between periods, or pain during sex. However, some people may not have any symptoms, and may not know they are infected. Therefore, it is important to get tested regularly and to use condoms to prevent the spread of the infection.