Ch. 36: Communicable diseases- Chicken Pox Flashcards
What is the “technical name” for chickenpox ?
Varicella
How is chickenpox spread?
Direct contact
Droplet
From person to person with shingles
What is incubation of chickenpox?
10-21 days
What is the communicability of chicken pox?
1-2 days before lions appear until all lesions have scabs
Symptoms 1-2 days prior to rash for chickenpox. What are those symptoms?
- High fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
Rash of chickenpox: Where do the macules start? Then what happens?
In trunk and face—then spread to rest of body, progressing to papules
Rash of chickenpox: What happens after the papules?
Vesicles follow, with crusts forming
Rash of chickenpox: When do scabs appear?
In approx. 1 week
What are the isolation precautions for varicella?
Airborn/contact
What can we give for fever?
Antipyretic
Is it okay to give a child aspirin for fevers?
NO!! This is a risk for Reyes Syndrome!!!
What can be given for topical relief?
Calamine lotion
What kind of baths do we give?
Give baths in tepid water, possibly with oatmean
What kind of clothing should child wear?
Loose, lightweight
What do we do to childs skin to prevent secondary infection?
Keep skin clean and dry
Keep child cool, but prevent chilling
How should childs fingernails be?
Short and clean
What if child keeps scratching?
Apply mittens
What if child as sore throat?
May gargle with warm water
How often do we change linens?
Daily
What is used to control childs pruritis?
Antihistamines (diphenhydramine hydrochloride and hydroxyzine)
What is given for high risk clients who have varicella?
Acyclovir
Why do we give NSAID or acetaminophen?
Decreases fever
*teach parents appropriate dosing for acetaminophen
Complications of varicella? (8)
- Dehydration
- Pneumonia
- Bleeding problems
- Bacterial infection of skin
- Sepsis
- Toxic shock syndrome
- Bone or joint infections
- Death
A nurse is teaching a group of parents about complications of communicable diseases. Which of the following communicable diseases may lead to pneumonia? (SATA) A. Rubella (german measles) B. Rubeola (measles) C. Pertussis (whooping cough) D. Varicella (chickenpox) E. Mumps
B, C, D
A nurse is teaching a group of parents about communicable diseases. Which of the following is the most appropriate method to prevent communicable disease? A. Handwashing B. Avoiding persons with active disease C. Covering your cough D. Obtaining immunizations
D
