Vaccines Flashcards
What are common symptoms of mild reactions to vaccines?
- Low-grade fever
- Redness/swelling at injection site
- Irritability or fatigue
Example: Mild redness and swelling after a DTaP shot
What are the symptoms of severe reactions to vaccines?
- Anaphylaxis (difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips)
- High fever
- Seizures
Severe reactions are rare but serious.
How can you differentiate between mild and severe vaccine reactions?
- Mild: Local redness/swelling, low fever
- Severe: Systemic response like breathing difficulty or anaphylaxis
What are true contraindications to vaccination?
- Anaphylactic reaction to a previous vaccine or ingredient
- Moderate to severe acute illness (high fever, active infection)
- Pregnancy (for live vaccines like MMR, varicella)
What conditions are NOT contraindications for vaccination?
- Mild illness (e.g., cold or low fever)
- Prematurity (preterm infants still get vaccinated on schedule)
- Family history of vaccine reactions (unless it was anaphylaxis)
What information is required for proper vaccine documentation?
- Date of administration
- Vaccine manufacturer, lot number, and expiration date
- Site & route of administration
- Name, title, and address of the person administering
- Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS) must be provided
- Informed consent must be obtained
What are other considerations for vaccine administration?
- Ensure proper storage of vaccines
- Check for expired or damaged vaccines before administration
When does Chicken Pox occur?
Year round, more in late winter/spring
What is the mode of transmission for Chicken Pox?
Airborne droplets, direct contact with lesions
What is the causal agent of Chicken Pox?
Varicella Zoster Virus
What is the period of contagion for Chicken Pox?
1-2 days before rash until lesions crusted over (5 to 7 days)
What are the signs and symptoms of Chicken Pox?
Fever, itch, rash (starts on trunk), malaise
What is the treatment for Chicken Pox?
Supportive care, acyclovir for high-risk patients
Is there a vaccine for Chicken Pox?
Yes
What type of isolation is needed for Chicken Pox?
Airborne/contact
What are some complications of Chicken Pox?
Secondary bacterial infections, pneumonia, encephalitis
What are some nursing considerations for Chicken Pox?
Prevent scratch, monitor, encourage hydration
When does Erythema Infectious (Fifth Disease) occur?
Year round, more in late winter/spring
What is the mode of transmission for Erythema Infectious?
Respiratory secretions, blood
What is the causal agent of Erythema Infectious?
Parvovirus B19
What is the period of contagion for Erythema Infectious?
Before onset of rash (not contagious once rash appears)
What are the signs and symptoms of Erythema Infectious?
Slapped cheek, rash, lacy rash on trunk/extremities, mild fever
What is the treatment for Erythema Infectious?
Supportive care
Is there a vaccine for Erythema Infectious?
No
What type of isolation is needed for Erythema Infectious?
Standard
What are some complications of Erythema Infectious?
Arthritis (adults), fetal complications in pregnancy
What are some nursing considerations for Erythema Infectious?
Education about rash progression, avoid exposure to pregnant individuals
When does Influenza occur?
Fall to early spring (flu season)
What is the mode of transmission for Influenza?
Respiratory droplets, direct contact with contaminated surfaces
What is the causal agent of Influenza?
Influenza A/B
What is the period of contagion for Influenza?
1 day before symptoms to 5-7 days after onset
What are the signs and symptoms of Influenza?
Fever, chills, body aches, cough, sore throat, fatigue
What is the treatment for Influenza?
Antivirals (oseltamivir) if started early, supportive care
Is there a vaccine for Influenza?
Yes
What type of isolation is needed for Influenza?
Droplet
What are some complications of Influenza?
Pneumonia, respiratory failure, exacerbation of chronic illnesses
What are some nursing considerations for Influenza?
Encourage vaccination, monitor for respiratory distress, promote hydration
When does Measles occur?
Year-round, most common in late winter/spring
What is the mode of transmission for Measles?
Airborne droplets, direct contact with secretions
What is the causal agent of Measles?
Measles virus
What is the period of contagion for Measles?
4 days before rash to 4 days after rash appears
What are the signs and symptoms of Measles?
High fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, Koplik spots, maculopapular rash
What is the treatment for Measles?
Supportive care, vitamin A for severe cases
Is there a vaccine for Measles?
Yes
What type of isolation is needed for Measles?
Airborne
What are some complications of Measles?
Pneumonia, encephalitis, SSPE (rare but fatal)
What are some nursing considerations for Measles?
Monitor respiratory status, prevent dehydration, educate about vaccination
When does Meningococcus occur?
Year-round, peaks in winter/spring
What is the mode of transmission for Meningococcus?
Respiratory droplets, close contact
What is the causal agent of Meningococcus?
Neisseria meningitidis (bacteria)
What is the period of contagion for Meningococcus?
Until 24 hours after starting antibiotics
What are the signs and symptoms of Meningococcus?
Fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, altered mental status, rash
What is the treatment for Meningococcus?
IV antibiotics (ceftriaxone, penicillin G), supportive care
Is there a vaccine for Meningococcus?
Yes
What type of isolation is needed for Meningococcus?
Droplet
What are some complications of Meningococcus?
Sepsis, brain damage, hearing loss, death
What are some nursing considerations for Meningococcus?
Monitor neuro status, droplet precautions, seizure precautions, fluid balance
When does Mononucleosis occur?
Anytime, more common in young adults (15-24)
What is the mode of transmission for Mononucleosis?
Saliva, blood transfusions
What is the causal agent of Mononucleosis?
Epstein Barr Virus
What is the period of contagion for Mononucleosis?
Weeks to months before symptoms appear, some shed for life
What are the signs and symptoms of Mononucleosis?
Fatigue (weeks to months), fever, sore throat resembling strep, swollen lymph nodes especially neck, enlarged spleen, head/body aches, loss of appetite
What is the treatment for Mononucleosis?
Supportive care, rest, hydration, Tylenol/motrin, steroids
Is there a vaccine for Mononucleosis?
No
What type of isolation is needed for Mononucleosis?
No
What are some complications of Mononucleosis?
Splenic rupture (life-threatening, rare), severe throat swelling, liver inflammation, jaundice, secondary infections, chronic fatigue (in some cases)
What are some nursing considerations for Mononucleosis?
Monitor for splenomegaly (no contact sports for 3–4 weeks), educate about spread (no sharing drinks, kissing), watch for respiratory distress, check for jaundice and liver function in severe cases
When does Pertussis occur?
Year round but more common in summer/fall
What is the mode of transmission for Pertussis?
Highly contagious – respiratory droplets cough/sneeze
What is the causal agent of Pertussis?
Bordetella pertussis (Bacteria)
What is the period of contagion for Pertussis?
Most contagious during the catarrhal stage, can remain contagious for up to 3 weeks after coughing begins if untreated
What are the stages of Pertussis?
Catarrhal stage (1-2 weeks), paroxysmal stage (1-6 weeks), convalescent stage (weeks to months)
What are the signs and symptoms of Pertussis?
Mild cough, runny nose, low fever, mild conjunctivitis, severe spasmodic coughing, ‘whooping’ sound, post-cough vomiting, fatigue, cyanosis
What is the treatment for Pertussis?
Antibiotics (azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin) only effective early in the illness, supportive care
Is there a vaccine for Pertussis?
Yes, DTaP
What type of isolation is needed for Pertussis?
Droplet
What are some complications of Pertussis?
Pneumonia (most common pertussis-related death), apnea, seizures, brain damage, malnutrition, rib fractures (from severe coughing)
What are some nursing considerations for Pertussis?
Monitor for respiratory distress, suction mucus in infants to prevent airway obstruction, provide humidified oxygen prn, encourage small, frequent meals to prevent dehydration, educate on vaccination (DTaP, Tdap) and avoiding exposure to infants, ensure post-exposure prophylaxis
