A nurse is teaching a client who is at 23 weeks of gestation about immunizations. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A reason: Gonorrhea is incorrect because it is not the infection described in the question. It is a bacterial infection that spreads through any form of unprotected sex, but it does not have stages of symptoms or affect the heart, eyes, and brain. It can cause pain, discharge, and inflammation in the genitals, anus, or throat. It can be treated with antibiotics.

Choice B reason: Syphilis is correct because it is the infection described in the question. It is a bacterial infection that spreads through any form of unprotected sex and by skin contact. It has stages of symptoms, such as sores, rashes, fever, and fatigue. If untreated, it can affect the heart, eyes, and brain, causing serious complications. It can be treated with antibiotics.

Choice C reason: Chlamydia is incorrect because it is not the infection described in the question. It is a bacterial infection that spreads through any form of unprotected sex, but it does not have stages of symptoms or affect the heart, eyes, and brain. It often causes no symptoms, but it can cause pain, discharge, and bleeding in the genitals or rectum. It can be treated with antibiotics.

Choice D reason: Trichomoniasis is incorrect because it is not the infection described in the question. It is a parasitic infection that spreads through any form of unprotected sex, but it does not have stages of symptoms or affect the heart, eyes, and brain. It can cause itching, burning, and odor in the genitals. It can be treated with antiparasitic drugs.

Choice A reason: You can receive an influenza vaccination during pregnancy, as it is safe and recommended for pregnant women. The flu vaccine can protect you and your baby from serious complications of influenza, such as pneumonia, preterm labor, and low birth weight. The flu vaccine can also provide some immunity to your baby for the first few months of life. ¹

Choice B reason: You can receive the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy, as it is safe and recommended for pregnant women. The Tdap vaccine can protect you and your baby from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Pertussis can be very dangerous for newborns, as it can cause severe coughing, breathing problems, and even death. The Tdap vaccine can also provide some immunity to your baby for the first few months of life.

Choice C reason: You should not receive a varicella vaccine before you deliver, as it is not recommended for pregnant women. The varicella vaccine can protect you and your baby from chickenpox, which can cause serious complications such as skin infections, pneumonia, and birth defects. However, the varicella vaccine is a live vaccine, which means it contains a weakened form of the virus that can cause infection in some people. Therefore, it is not safe for pregnant women or their babies.

Choice D reason: You should not receive the rubella vaccine while breastfeeding, as it is not recommended for breastfeeding women. The rubella vaccine can protect you and your baby from rubella, which can cause serious complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects. However, the rubella vaccine is a live vaccine, which means it contains a weakened form of the virus that can cause infection in some people. Therefore, it is not safe for breastfeeding women or their babies.