Question 1

You are a school nurse working with adolescents. An adolescent tells you that he thinks he has a sexually transmitted disease (STD). He wants to see a doctor to get diagnosis and treatment if necessary, but he says he definitely does not want to tell his parents. Your best initial action would be to:

Accepted Answer

The best initial action is to check the laws of your state regarding the age at which adolescents can seek diagnosis and treatment for STDs without parental consent. This ensures that any advice or action taken is legally compliant and respects the adolescent's rights and privacy.

Question 2

Caregivers ask the pediatric nurse what things they need to especially look at when selecting day care. The nurse will stress preparing and asking a number of questions related to which of the following areas as a priority in selecting day care?

Accepted Answer

Sanitation practices and illness policies are crucial for preventing the spread of infections among children in day care settings. Ensuring that the day care has good hygiene practices and clear policies for handling sick children can significantly impact the health and safety of all children in their care.

Question 3

Children who have been in day care have which of the following experiences with respiratory infections once they enter school (as compared to children who have not been in day care)?

Accepted Answer

Children who have been in day care tend to have fewer episodes of respiratory infections once they enter school compared to those who have not been in day care. This is because early exposure to pathogens in day care can lead to the development of a stronger immune system, making them more resilient to infections later on.

Question 4

You have just taken a job in a pediatric clinic. You will be teaching caregivers about immunization schedules and either giving or scheduling immunizations. Your best initial preparation for this job would be to:

Accepted Answer

Obtaining a current printed copy of the recommended childhood immunization schedule as approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics and others ensures that you have the most up-to-date and authoritative information, which is crucial for accurately educating caregivers and scheduling immunizations.

Question 5

You are a nurse working in a pediatric clinic. Your goal is to have accurate, up-to-date immunization records on all the children who come to the clinic. Which of the following record-keeping efforts would best help you meet your goal?

Accepted Answer

Having caregivers list all those who gave immunizations to their children and sign consent forms for release of information allows the clinic to obtain accurate, official immunization records from all previous providers, ensuring the most reliable and comprehensive documentation.

Question 6

Why does the nurse need to read the package insert to see if a vaccine has been properly stored before administering the vaccine?

Accepted Answer

Improper storage or handling can affect the vaccine's potency, making it less effective or ineffective in providing the intended immunization protection.

Question 7

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 provides:

Accepted Answer

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 established the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), which provides a no-fault alternative to the traditional legal system for resolving vaccine injury petitions. It allows individuals who believe they were injured by a vaccine to file a petition and receive compensation without needing to prove negligence by the vaccine manufacturer or the person who administered the vaccine.

Question 8

You are being oriented to the pediatric unit. You notice that after giving a vaccination, the nurse records, in addition to the date of administration, the name of the vaccination, the site and route, the nurse's name and title, and which of the following information?

Accepted Answer

The correct information to record after giving a vaccination includes the manufacturer, lot number, and expiration date of the vaccine. This is essential for tracking and in case of any recall or adverse reaction investigation.

Question 9

You are working in an immunization clinic providing vaccinations prior to the school year. You are required to get the parent(s) or guardian to sign a vaccination consent form. Before accepting the consent form from the parents or guardian and filing it, you would most want to make certain that the form:

Accepted Answer

Ensuring the consent form is in a language the parent(s) or guardian understands or is read to them in a language they understand is crucial for informed consent.

Question 10

Which of the following includes the two true permanent contraindications to vaccination?

Accepted Answer

The two true permanent contraindications to vaccination include a history of severe anaphylactic reaction to a vaccine or its component and encephalopathy within 7 days of administration of DTaP. These conditions suggest a significant risk of severe adverse reactions to future vaccinations.

Question 11

A mother asks the nurse why her child needs a polio vaccination when polio has been eliminated in the United States and eradicated in most of the world. The nurse's best answer would be:

Accepted Answer

Polio still exists in some parts of the world, and international travel can lead to reintroduction and potential outbreaks. Vaccination helps maintain herd immunity and prevent resurgence.

Question 12

The school nurse is talking with a group of adolescent females about the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The school nurse will caution the female students not to take the vaccine if there is any chance they may be pregnant or become pregnant in the next 3 months. The reason the nurse tells the students not to take the vaccine during the first 3 months of pregnancy is:

Accepted Answer

The MMR vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine, and there is a theoretical risk that it could cause harm to the fetus if administered during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester when the organs are forming. This is why it is recommended to avoid pregnancy for at least 3 months after receiving the vaccine.

Question 13

You are working on the medical unit at the hospital. A client says he may have been exposed to diphtheria. The client has a low-grade fever and some nasal discharge. In order to diagnose or rule out diphtheria in this client, the physician will order which of the following tests?

Accepted Answer

To diagnose or rule out diphtheria, a physician would order nose and throat cultures. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose, so cultures from these areas are necessary for diagnosis.

Question 14

The Epstein-Barr virus is responsible for which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is known to cause infectious mononucleosis, often referred to as mono or the "kissing disease," which is characterized by symptoms such as fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.

Question 15

The school nurse becomes aware that a student with a diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis has been reporting to sports practice. The nurse will advise the student and the coach that:

Accepted Answer

Infectious mononucleosis can cause splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen), which increases the risk of spleen rupture, a potentially life-threatening condition. It is recommended that individuals with infectious mononucleosis avoid contact sports or strenuous activities until the spleen has returned to its normal size to prevent rupture.

Question 16

You are the school nurse advising the caregivers of a student who has mumps. The mother asks how long this student must remain at home. The school nurse will tell the caregivers that students with mumps must stay home until they meet which of the following criteria?

Accepted Answer

Students with mumps should stay home until nine days have passed after the onset of parotid swelling, according to public health guidelines. This period helps prevent the spread of the virus to others.

Question 17

An infant of 4 months is hospitalized with a case of pertussis. The child is started on erythromycin orally for 14 days. The nursing staff will enforce observation of respiratory isolation for how long?

Accepted Answer

Pertussis (whooping cough) is highly contagious, and respiratory isolation is recommended to prevent its spread. When treated with antibiotics like erythromycin, the contagious period is significantly reduced. The standard recommendation is to enforce respiratory isolation for 5 days after the initiation of effective antibiotic treatment. This helps to limit the spread of the infection to others.

Question 18

Which of the following tests is used in diagnosing polio?

Accepted Answer

Stool culture is used in diagnosing polio because the poliovirus is present in the feces of infected individuals. This method helps in identifying the presence of the virus.

Question 19

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci cause which of the following diseases?

Accepted Answer

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci are known to cause several infections, including scarlet fever, which is characterized by a sore throat, fever, and a red rash.

Question 20

A father calls the school nurse and asks when his daughter, who has chickenpox, can return to school. The best reply by the nurse would be:

Accepted Answer

Chickenpox is considered contagious until all lesions have crusted over. This is a guideline used to prevent the spread of the virus to others.

Quiz 15: Infectious Diseases