Chapter 40. Infections: Viral and Rickettsial
1. An immunosuppressed child is admitted to the hospital with varicella (chickenpox). The
nurse should be prepared to administer which prescribed medication?
a. Erythromycin (Pediazole)
b. Varicella vaccine
c. Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin)
d. Acyclovir (Zovirax)
ANS: D
Acyclovir is the antiviral medication that would be used in this case. Response to antiviral
drugs is good provided that treatment is started early in the illness. Erythromycin is an
antibiotic that is prescribed for bacterial infections. The varicella vaccine is a live virus and
would be
, contraindicated for an immunosuppressed child. Aspirin is not given to children with
viral illnesses because of the risk of the child developing Reyes disease.
2. The mother of an infant with multiple anomalies tells the nurse that she had a viral infection
in the beginning of her pregnancy. Which viral infection is associated with fetal anomalies?
a. Measles
b. Roseola
c. Rubella
d. Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
ANS: C
The rubella virus can cross the placenta and infect the fetus, causing fetal anomalies. Measles
is not associated with congenital defects. Most cases of roseola occur in children 6 to 18
months old. HSV can be transmitted to the newborn infant during vaginal delivery, causing
multisystem disease. It is not transmitted transplacentally to the fetus during gestation.
3. What is the best response to a parent of a 2-month-old infant who asks when the infant
should receive the measles vaccine?
a. Your baby can get the measles vaccine now.
b. The first dose is given any time after the first birthday.
c. She should be vaccinated between 4 and 6 years of
age.
d. This vaccine is administered when the child is 11 years old.
ANS: B
The first measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended routinely at 1 year of age.
Some immunizations are initiated at 2 months of age, but not the measles vaccine. The second
dose of MMR is recommended at 4 to 6 years of age. Children should receive their second
MMR dose no later than 11 to 12 years of age.
1. An immunosuppressed child is admitted to the hospital with varicella (chickenpox). The
nurse should be prepared to administer which prescribed medication?
a. Erythromycin (Pediazole)
b. Varicella vaccine
c. Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin)
d. Acyclovir (Zovirax)
ANS: D
Acyclovir is the antiviral medication that would be used in this case. Response to antiviral
drugs is good provided that treatment is started early in the illness. Erythromycin is an
antibiotic that is prescribed for bacterial infections. The varicella vaccine is a live virus and
would be
, contraindicated for an immunosuppressed child. Aspirin is not given to children with
viral illnesses because of the risk of the child developing Reyes disease.
2. The mother of an infant with multiple anomalies tells the nurse that she had a viral infection
in the beginning of her pregnancy. Which viral infection is associated with fetal anomalies?
a. Measles
b. Roseola
c. Rubella
d. Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
ANS: C
The rubella virus can cross the placenta and infect the fetus, causing fetal anomalies. Measles
is not associated with congenital defects. Most cases of roseola occur in children 6 to 18
months old. HSV can be transmitted to the newborn infant during vaginal delivery, causing
multisystem disease. It is not transmitted transplacentally to the fetus during gestation.
3. What is the best response to a parent of a 2-month-old infant who asks when the infant
should receive the measles vaccine?
a. Your baby can get the measles vaccine now.
b. The first dose is given any time after the first birthday.
c. She should be vaccinated between 4 and 6 years of
age.
d. This vaccine is administered when the child is 11 years old.
ANS: B
The first measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended routinely at 1 year of age.
Some immunizations are initiated at 2 months of age, but not the measles vaccine. The second
dose of MMR is recommended at 4 to 6 years of age. Children should receive their second
MMR dose no later than 11 to 12 years of age.
