A nurse is evaluating a client who received an immunization for tetanus one week ago.
The client reports pain and swelling at the injection site, low-grade fever, and body aches.
Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
“These are signs of an allergic reaction to the vaccine.”
“These are normal inflammatory responses to the vaccine.”
“These are signs of an active infection with tetanus.”
“These are adverse effects of preservatives in the vaccine.”.
The Correct Answer is B
These are normal inflammatory responses to the vaccine.
The tetanus vaccine protects people from the bacteria that cause tetanus, a serious disease that causes muscle stiffness and spasms.
The vaccine stimulates the body’s immune system to produce antibodies against the bacteria. Sometimes, this immune response can cause mild symptoms such as pain, redness, swelling, fever, headache, or tiredness.
These are not signs of an infection or an allergic reaction, but rather the body’s way of building immunity.
Choice A is wrong because an allergic reaction to the vaccine would cause more severe symptoms such as hives, swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, or shock.
These symptoms would usually occur within minutes or hours of getting the vaccine and require immediate medical attention.
Choice C is wrong because these are not signs of an active infection with tetanus.
Tetanus is a rare but potentially fatal disease that causes muscle spasms and paralysis.
It is caused by bacteria that enter the body through wounds or cuts. The symptoms of tetanus usually appear several days or weeks after exposure and include lockjaw, stiffness of the neck and abdomen, difficulty swallowing, fever, sweating, and seizures.
The tetanus vaccine prevents the disease by creating immunity before exposure.
Choice D is wrong because these are not adverse effects of preservatives in the vaccine.
Preservatives are substances that prevent contamination and spoilage of vaccines. The most common preservative used in tetanus vaccines is thimerosal, a mercury-based compound that has been proven to be safe and effective.
There is no evidence that thimerosal causes autism or any other health problems.
Some people may have a sensitivity to thimerosal or other ingredients in the vaccine, but this is very rare and would cause an allergic reaction as described in choice A.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Institute contact precautions.This is because the infant may havenecrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which is the most common cause of bloody stool in preterm infants.
NEC is a serious condition that involves inflammation and necrosis of the intestinal wall and can lead to perforation, sepsis, and death.NEC is also a potential source of infection for other infants in the NICU, so contact precautions are necessary to prevent cross-contamination.
Choice A is wrong because obtaining a rectal temperature is not indicated for an infant with bloody stool.Rectal temperature can cause irritation and bleeding of the rectal mucosa and can also increase the risk of perforation if there is intestinal necrosis.
Choice C is wrong because decreasing the amount of the feeding is not enough to manage an infant with bloody stool.
The infant may need to have the feeding stopped completely and receive parenteral nutrition until the bowel heals.Decreasing the feeding may also compromise the infant’s growth and development.
Choice D is wrong because assessing for abdominal distention is not a nursing action but a nursing assessment.
Abdominal distention is a common sign of feeding intolerance and NEC, but it is not specific or sensitive enough to diagnose the condition.Other signs and symptoms of NEC include bile-stained or bloody gastric residuals, emesis, diarrhea, temperature instability, apnea, bradycardia, hypotension, and lethargy.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Exchange transfusion (ET) is a procedure that involves removing the infant’s blood and replacing it with compatible donor blood to reduce the level of bilirubin and/or antibody-coated red blood cells.It is a high-risk intervention that can cause serious complications such as vascular accidents, cardiovascular compromise, and electrolyte and hematologic derangement.
Therefore, it is essential to obtain informed consent from the parent before performing ET.
Choice B is wrong because checking the newborn’s blood type and crossmatch is not the first action the nurse should take.
Although it is important to ensure compatibility between the donor and recipient blood, it is not as urgent as obtaining informed consent.
Choice C is wrong because inserting two umbilical catheters for blood withdrawal and infusion is not the first action the nurse should take.
Although it is necessary to establish vascular access for ET, it is not as crucial as obtaining informed consent.
Choice D is wrong because monitoring the newborn’s vital signs and oxygen saturation is not the first action the nurse should take.
Although it is vital to assess the newborn’s condition before, during, and after ET, it is not as imperative as obtaining informed consent.
Normal ranges for bilirubin levels vary depending on the gestational age and postnatal age of the newborn.The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has published nomograms for initiating phototherapy and ET based on these factors.According to the AAP, ET should be considered when the bilirubin level exceeds 25 mg/dL (428 μmol/L) in term infants or 20 mg/dL (342 μmol/L) in preterm infants with risk factors for neurotoxicity.
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