Question 1

The nurse is teaching parents how to prevent the spread of infectious disease. Which is the priority health promotion strategy the nurse should recommend for all age groups of children?

Accepted Answer

Performing hand hygiene is the most important and effective strategy to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in all age groups, as hands are the primary mode of transmission between individuals. While the other choices (A, C, and D) are also important, hand hygiene should be prioritized.

Question 2

A nurse is providing information to a group of new mothers. Which rationale, indicating increased susceptibility for infant infection, should the nurse include in the teaching session?

Accepted Answer

Infants have low levels of antibodies as their immune system is not fully developed yet, which makes them more susceptible to infections.

Answer: D 
 Infants can be exposed to microorganisms during the birth process, which can increase their risk of infections. However, this risk can be minimized with proper prenatal care and infection control measures during delivery.

Answer B and C are incorrect because they both provide some level of immunity to the newborn, which can help protect them from infections. Maternal antibodies can provide temporary protection, while passive transplacental immunity can provide some level of protection for up to several months after birth.

Question 3

Which common mode of infectious disease should the nurse include in a teaching session with parents within the community?

Accepted Answer

Coughing without covering the mouth is a common mode of transmitting infectious diseases as it can spread respiratory droplets containing pathogens to others nearby.

Question 4

The mother of an immunocompromised child expresses concern that her child will "catch" a disease from the scheduled vaccination. Which vaccines should be administered to this child as they carry no risk for acquiring the infection?

Accepted Answer

Toxoid vaccines (A), killed virus vaccines (B), and immunoglobulins (E) are safe for immunocompromised individuals because they cannot cause the disease they are meant to protect against. Toxoid and killed virus vaccines contain inactivated bacteria or viruses, respectively, which cannot replicate, while immunoglobulins are antibodies given directly to provide immediate protection. Live virus vaccines (C) and attenuated vaccines (D) contain live organisms that could potentially cause disease in an immunocompromised individual and are generally avoided in this population.

Question 5

A mother brings in her 4-month-old infant for a routine checkup and vaccinations. The mother reports that her child was exposed to the flu. Which nursing action is accurate based on the current data?

Accepted Answer

The infant should receive the vaccinations as scheduled. Exposure to the flu is not a contraindication for routine vaccinations. However, if the infant is showing signs of illness, such as a fever, the vaccines may need to be postponed until the illness has resolved.

Question 6

The nurse is teaching a preschool-age child and parents the importance of hand washing after using the toilet. Which rationale for this practice should the nurse include in the teaching session?

Accepted Answer

Hand washing is the most effective way to limit the transmission of disease-causing germs and bacteria. It is important to teach children this habit to prevent the spread of illness. While options A, C, and D may be valid reasons for hand washing, they are not the main rationale for the practice.

Question 7

The pediatric clinic has set a goal that 95% or more of the children attending the clinic will be fully immunized. Which should the clinic nurses teach the families to meet this goal?

Accepted Answer

Teaching families about the benefits of immunizations and the risks of communicable diseases can help them understand the importance of keeping their child fully immunized. This may encourage them to adhere to recommended schedules and help the clinic reach its goal of 95% or more fully immunized children. B, C, and D are incorrect because they are not true statements or may give false reassurance to families about immunizations.

Question 8

A parent reports that her 5-year-old child, who has had all recommended immunizations, had a mild fever 1 week ago and now has bright red cheeks and a lacy red maculopapular rash on the trunk and arms. Which diagnosis does the nurse anticipate based on the current data?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are classic for fifth disease, also known as erythema infectiosum. The child has had all recommended immunizations, so it is unlikely to be any of the other choices.

Question 9

A mother refuses to have her child immunized with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine because she believes that letting her infant get these diseases will help him fight off other diseases later in life. Which is an appropriate response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should explain the potential complications of measles, mumps, and rubella infections to the mother to help her make an informed decision. It is also important to educate the mother on the benefits of immunization and the risks of not immunizing her child. However, it is not appropriate to tell the mother that she is wrong or to simply honor her request without further explanation or education. It is also important to mention the risks of exposing pregnant women to the virus.

Question 10

The nurse is teaching the mother of a newborn how the immune system functions. Which statement regarding the process that occurs when healthy children are exposed to infection indicates accurate understanding of the information presented?

Accepted Answer

When healthy children are exposed to infection, their immune systems respond by creating specific antibodies that can recognize and fight off the infection in the future. This is a natural process that helps to build immunity and protect against future infections. Option B may not always be true, as some infections can result in illness or complications even in healthy individuals. Option C is incorrect, as exposure to infection does not necessarily mean acquiring a terminal illness. Option D is also incorrect, as exposure to infection can actually help to strengthen the immune system over time.

Question 11

A nurse is providing education to a group of new mothers regarding immunity and infection. Which information regarding the development of immunity should the nurse include in the teaching session?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should include in the teaching session that immunity can be acquired through immunization or exposure to the natural disease. This is because both methods stimulate the body's immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells, thus providing immunity against future infections. Option B, C, and D are not accurate statements as exposure to diseases can also result in infection and newborns are not born with diseases in their systems, but rather acquire them postnatally.

Question 12

A 2-year-old child with a fever is prescribed amoxicillin clavulanate 250 mg/5 mL 3 times daily by mouth for 10 days for otitis media. Which is the priority teaching instruction for the parents of this child?

Accepted Answer

It is important to emphasize to the parents that the full course of antibiotics should be completed, even if the child appears to be feeling better. This ensures that the infection is completely eradicated and helps to prevent the development of antibiotic-resistant organisms. It is also important to provide instructions on how to properly measure the medication using a dosing spoon or syringe, as the use of a household teaspoon can result in inaccurate dosing. Spreading the doses evenly throughout the day is also important but not the priority teaching point in this scenario. Finally, stopping the antibiotic when the child is afebrile can result in incomplete treatment and a recurrence of the infection.

Question 13

The nurse prepares a DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus toxoid, and acellular pertussis) immunization for a 6-month-old infant. Which nursing action is accurate to safely administer this vaccine to the infant?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse prepares a DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus...

Question 14

Which is the priority nursing action when it is suspected that an infectious agent has been used as a weapon by terrorists?

Accepted Answer

Initiating airborne and contact precautions is the priority nursing action when an infectious agent has been used as a weapon by terrorists. This is essential for preventing the transmission of the infectious agent to others. Separating clients according to age or level of development and disposing of blood-contaminated needles are important steps as well, but they are not the priority in this situation.

Question 15

The hospital has instructed its nurses that they must participate in disease surveillance associated with infectious agents. Which disease(s) are likely to be the weapons of terrorists?

Accepted Answer

Plague, anthrax, and smallpox have all been used as biological weapons by terrorists in the past.

Question 16

Which nursing action is most appropriate to decrease the risk of transmitting viral infections by clients and family members at a local clinic?

Accepted Answer

Sanitizing toys, telephones, and doorknobs to kill pathogens is the most appropriate nursing action to decrease the risk of transmitting viral infections at a local clinic as these are high-touch areas and can easily spread the virus. Teaching parents safe food preparation and storage, withholding immunizations for children with compromised immune systems, and allowing all children to congregate in the same waiting room do not directly address the risk of viral transmission at the clinic.

Question 17

Which parental action indicates accurate understanding of information presented by the nurse to treat a fever related to otitis media?

Accepted Answer

Offering generous amounts of fluids frequently is important for a child with a fever to prevent dehydration and help regulate body temperature. Cold baths, alternating medications too frequently, and using aspirin (due to the risk of Reye's syndrome in children) are not recommended practices.

Question 18

A child who has not had a tetanus immunization steps on a rusty nail. Which term should the nurse use to identify the tetanus immunization when teaching the parents about the vaccine?

Accepted Answer

Tetanus immunization is a toxoid vaccine, which means it contains a modified toxin from the tetanus bacteria that cannot cause disease but can stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies.

Question 19

The nurse is providing care to a child who is diagnosed with Lyme disease. The mother wants to know how to protect her other children from contracting this disease from the infected child. Which should the nurse include in the teaching session regarding the transmission of this disease process?

Accepted Answer

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks, which typically feed on infected animals such as deer and mice. Thus, the disease is passed from animals to persons, not directly from person to person, adult to child, or person to insects.

Question 20

Which should the nurse use when reconstituting vaccines?

Accepted Answer

The diluents provided are designed specifically for the vaccine and have been tested for safety and efficacy. Using any other solution could potentially compromise the vaccine and result in decreased effectiveness or adverse reactions.

Quiz 43: Immunizations and Communicable Diseases