A nurse is caring for a child who has pertussis. The child's parent asks the nurse what the common name for this disease is. The nurse should respond with which of the following common names?

Choice A: Torticollis is not a disorder that causes lateral curvature of the spine, but rather a condition that causes tilting or twisting of the neck due to contraction or spasm of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Torticollis can cause pain, stiffness, or limited range of motion in the neck. Torticollis can be congenital or acquired due to injury, infection, or posture.

Choice B: Lordosis is not a disorder that causes lateral curvature of the spine, but rather a condition that causes excessive inward curvature of the lower spine. Lordosis can cause back pain, stiffness, or difficulty in movement. Lordosis can be congenital or acquired due to obesity, pregnancy, osteoporosis, or spondylolisthesis.

Choice C: Kyphosis is not a disorder that causes lateral curvature of the spine, but rather a condition that causes excessive outward curvature of the upper spine. Kyphosis can cause a hunchback appearance, back pain, stiffness, or breathing problems. Kyphosis can be congenital or acquired due to aging, osteoporosis, arthritis, or spinal injury.

Choice D: Scoliosis is a disorder that causes lateral curvature of the spine in one or more places. Scoliosis can cause uneven shoulders or hips, back pain, fatigue, or breathing problems. Scoliosis can be congenital or idiopathic (unknown cause). Scoliosis can be diagnosed by physical examination and X-ray and treated by braces or surgery depending on the severity and progression of the curve.

Choice A: Contact isolation is not appropriate for a child who has measles, which is a highly contagious viral infection that causes fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Contact isolation is used for patients who have infections that can be spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or their environment, such as wound infections, scabies, or Clostridioides difficile. Contact isolation requires wearing gloves and gowns and using dedicated equipment.

Choice B: Airborne isolation is appropriate for a child who has measles, as it is used for patients who have infections that can be spread by small droplets that can remain suspended in the air and travel over long distances, such as tuberculosis, chickenpox, or measles. Airborne isolation requires wearing a respirator mask and placing the patient in a negative pressure room with the door closed.

Choice C: Protective environment isolation is not appropriate for a child who has measles, as it is used for patients who have compromised immune systems and are at high risk of acquiring infections from others, such as transplant recipients, cancer patients, or patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Protective environment isolation requires wearing gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection and placing the patient in a positive pressure room with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.

Choice D: Droplet isolation is not appropriate for a child who has measles, as it is used for patients who have infections that can be spread by large droplets that can travel up to 6 feet from the source, such as influenza, pertussis, or meningitis. Droplet isolation requires wearing a surgical mask and eye protection and placing the patient in a private room or cohorting with other patients with the same infection.