A client presents with a prodrome of pain, tingling, burning, or itching in the affected dermatome. The nurse observes a unilateral, clustered, vesicular rash that follows the course of the sensory nerve. The rash involves the thoracic nerve. Which of the following complications should the nurse monitor for in this client?

Choice A rationale:

(Correct) Excluding infected individuals from school or work until all lesions are crusted over is an important measure in preventing the spread of chickenpox. This helps to reduce the risk of transmission to others.

Choice B rationale:

(Correct) Practicing good hand hygiene is essential to prevent the spread of the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles. Regular handwashing helps reduce the likelihood of virus transmission through contact with contaminated surfaces or infected individuals.

Choice C rationale:

(Incorrect) Sharing personal items such as towels with infected individuals can increase the risk of spreading the virus. It is crucial for the nurse to discourage such practices during the community class.

Choice D rationale:

(Incorrect) While reporting cases of chickenpox or shingles to local health authorities is important for surveillance purposes, it is not a preventive measure for individual protection.

Choice A rationale:

Postherpetic neuralgia is a potential complication of shingles. It occurs when nerve pain persists even after the rash has healed and can be a long-term and debilitating condition.

Choice B rationale:

Cranial nerve palsies can be a complication of shingles when the herpes zoster virus affects the cranial nerves, leading to neurological symptoms and complications.

Choice C rationale:

Bacterial superinfection is not a common complication of shingles. Shingles is caused by a viral infection, and while bacterial superinfection can occur if there is a secondary bacterial infection of the skin lesions, it is not a primary concern.

Choice D rationale:

Reye syndrome is not associated with shingles or its treatment. Reye syndrome is a rare but serious condition that primarily affects children recovering from viral infections, particularly those who have taken aspirin.

Choice E rationale:

Eye involvement is a potential complication of shingles, particularly if the herpes zoster virus affects the ophthalmic nerve, leading to eye pain, redness, and sometimes vision problems. Immediate medical attention is required in such cases to prevent complications that could lead to vision loss.