A nurse is caring for a client with chickenpox. Which nursing intervention should the nurse prioritize to prevent transmission of the virus?

Choice A rationale:

The nurse should not advise the patient to apply iodine, hydrogen peroxide, or alcohol to the wound. These substances can be irritating to the wound and delay the healing process.

Choice B rationale:

Cleaning and debriding the wound as soon as possible is an essential action to prevent infection and promote healing. Removing debris and foreign material from the wound reduces the risk of contamination and infection.

Choice C rationale:

Using non-sterile instruments for wound care is not appropriate. The nurse should emphasize the importance of using clean and sterile instruments to prevent introducing additional bacteria into the wound.

Choice D rationale:

Administering the Td vaccine (Tetanus and Diphtheria) for prophylaxis is a crucial action to protect the patient from tetanus, especially in contaminated wounds where tetanus spores might be present.

Choice E rationale:

Proper disposal of animal feces is crucial to avoid exposure to tetanus spores. Tetanus spores can be found in soil contaminated with animal feces and can enter the body through open wounds, leading to a serious and potentially fatal infection.

Choice B rationale:

The symptoms described in the scenario, such as fever, headache, malaise, anorexia, pharyngitis, and the progression of a generalized pruritic rash from macules to papules to vesicles to pustules to crusts, are indicative of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection, commonly known as chickenpox. Otitis media (choice B) can be a complication of chickenpox, especially in children.

Choice A rationale:

Chronic kidney disease (choice A) is not a common complication of chickenpox. It is more commonly associated with conditions like diabetes and hypertension.

Choice C rationale:

Rheumatoid arthritis (choice C) is an autoimmune condition and is not a known complication of chickenpox.

Choice D rationale:

Type 2 diabetes (choice D) is not a common complication of chickenpox. Diabetes can increase the risk of infection, but it is not directly related to chickenpox.