Ch. 36: Communicable diseases- Chicken Pox

Question 1

What is the “technical name” for chickenpox ?

Answer 1

Varicella

Question 2

How is chickenpox spread?

Answer 2

Direct contact
Droplet
From person to person with shingles

Question 3

What is incubation of chickenpox?

Answer 3

10-21 days

Question 4

What is the communicability of chicken pox?

Answer 4

1-2 days before lions appear until all lesions have scabs

Question 5

Symptoms 1-2 days prior to rash for chickenpox. What are those symptoms?

Answer 5

• High fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Headache

Question 6

Rash of chickenpox: Where do the macules start? Then what happens?

Answer 6

In trunk and face—then spread to rest of body, progressing to papules

Question 7

Rash of chickenpox: What happens after the papules?

Answer 7

Vesicles follow, with crusts forming

Question 8

Rash of chickenpox: When do scabs appear?

Answer 8

In approx. 1 week

Question 9

What are the isolation precautions for varicella?

Answer 9

Airborn/contact

Question 10

What can we give for fever?

Answer 10

Antipyretic

Question 11

Is it okay to give a child aspirin for fevers?

Answer 11

NO!! This is a risk for Reyes Syndrome!!!

Question 12

What can be given for topical relief?

Answer 12

Calamine lotion

Question 13

What kind of baths do we give?

Answer 13

Give baths in tepid water, possibly with oatmean

Question 14

What kind of clothing should child wear?

Answer 14

Loose, lightweight

Question 15

What do we do to childs skin to prevent secondary infection?

Answer 15

Keep skin clean and dry

Keep child cool, but prevent chilling

Question 16

How should childs fingernails be?

Answer 16

Short and clean

Question 17

What if child keeps scratching?

Answer 17

Apply mittens

Question 18

What if child as sore throat?

Answer 18

May gargle with warm water

Question 19

How often do we change linens?

Answer 19

Daily

Question 20

What is used to control childs pruritis?

Answer 20

Antihistamines (diphenhydramine hydrochloride and hydroxyzine)

Question 21

What is given for high risk clients who have varicella?

Answer 21

Acyclovir

Question 22

Why do we give NSAID or acetaminophen?

Answer 22

Decreases fever

*teach parents appropriate dosing for acetaminophen

Question 23

Complications of varicella? (8)

Answer 23

• Dehydration
• Pneumonia
• Bleeding problems
• Bacterial infection of skin
• Sepsis
• Toxic shock syndrome
• Bone or joint infections
• Death

Question 24

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

Answer 24

B, C, D

Question 25

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

Answer 25

D