The nurse is teaching parents of a child being discharged from the hospital after a splenectomy about the risk of infection. What should the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)
A) Avoid obtaining the pneumococcal vaccination for the child.
B) Avoid obtaining the meningococcal vaccination for the child.
C) The child should receive prophylactic penicillin for certain procedures.
D) Have the child immunized with the Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination.
E) Notify the health care provider if your child develops a fever of 38.5° C (101.3° F).

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Because of the risk of life-threatening bacterial infection after splenectomy, these children are immunized with the pneumococcal, meningococcal, and H. influenzae type b vaccines before surgery and receive prophylactic penicillin for several years after splenectomy. The parents should be instructed in the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if their child develops a fever of 38.5° C (101.3° F) or higher as a common sign of infection or postsplenectomy sepsis.

The Nurse Is Teaching Parents of a Child Being Discharged