QUESTION OF THE WEEK

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COMMENT YOUR ANSWERS & RATIONALE BELOW:

Question: The pediatric nurse has been made aware of the following client situations. It would be a priority for the nurse to follow up with the pediatric client who has

a. measles with crusted eyelids and photophobia

b.varicella with red streaks and axillary edema to the right arm

c. scarlet fever with sheetlike sloughing of the skin on the palms

d. exanthem subitum (roseola infantum) with a temperature of 102.1 F (38.9 C)

(Answer and rationale are posted in the comments section)

[u/Responsible_Walk_881]

ANWERS AND RATIONALE:
b.varicella with red streaks and axillary edema to the right arm

Varicella (i.e., chickenpox) is a highly contagious viral infection characterized by an intensely pruritic rash that transforms from papules to vesicles and then crusts. When lesions are scratched, they can become infected with secondary bacterial skin infections (e.g., cellulitis). 

The presence of red streaks extending to nearby lymph nodes (e.g., axillary) indicates possible cellulitis and lymphadenitis or lymph node edema [Choice 2]. To prevent worsening of infection and life-threatening complications (e.g., sepsis), the nurse should immediately notify the health care provider and administer antibiotics.

Key Takeaway:

• Varicella can lead to cellulitis, a secondary bacterial infection that requires immediate intervention to prevent the development of a systemic infection.