C - Kawasaki disease

Question 1

What is Kawasaki & what causes it?

Answer 1

• acute inflammation of medium sized arteries
• typically seen in children 6mths - 5 yrs
• cause unknown but maybe triggered by infection/autoimmune disease

Question 2

Signs and symptoms of Kawasaki? (6)

Answer 2

CRASH & Burn!!!!
Conjunctival hyperemia - eye redness
Rash
Adenopathy - swollen lymph nodes
Strawberry tongue - red tongue + dry, cracked lips
Hands & feet red, peeling, edema

BURN = fever
- must hv at least 4 CRASH symptoms & fever lasting > 5 days

Question 3

Nursing management for Kawasaki?

Answer 3

1. Ensure comfort & calm environment by decreasing external stimulation
   - dim lights to ease photophobia and discomfort caused by their conjunctivitis
   - lip balm for chapped lips
   - mild lubricant for rash and peeling skin.

For edematous legs and feet, elevate them slightly, and perform gentle passive ROM exercises

• Monitor pain level
• give high dose aspirin & IV immunoglobulin -> prevents thrombosis = blood clot blocks veins or arteries
• high dose aspirin usually NOT given to children bcs can cause REYE syndrome but allowed to cure Kawasaki’s bcs its thrombolytic effects > risk of REYE
• watch for reactions to the medications
• Stop infusion if pt has headache, dizziness, nausea -> give antihistamines, restart the infusion at a lower rate once symptoms have resolved.
• adequate cool fluids, ice pops and small frequent nutrition.
• monitoring I/O & daily weight
• Listen to heart sounds, ECG monitoring
• bed rest to decrease cardiac workload.
• vitals, esp temperature
• can cause seizures -> seizure precautions
• cold compress