A clinic nurse receives a phone call from a parent who states that a 2-month-old infant has a severe cough, a low-grade fever, and a runny nose that have lasted over a week. What will the nurse ask the parent?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This infant may have pertussis, for which the primary symptoms are low-grade fever, persistent cough, and runny nose. Infants who have not received the first set of immunizations, including the DTaP vaccine, are especially vulnerable to this disease. The hepatitis B vaccine does not protect against these symptoms. Asking about day care may be important for evaluating exposure, but differentiating between the cough of pertussis and other coughs is best done by determining immunization status. A family history of respiratory disorders may indicate whether the symptoms are related to a chronic lung disease, but these do not usually manifest at 2 months of age.

A Clinic Nurse Receives a Phone Call from a Parent